Self-contained EC IGU

ABSTRACT

Onboard EC window controllers are described. The controllers are configured in close proximity to the EC window, for example, within the IGU. The controller may be part of a window assembly, which includes an IGU having one or more EC panes, and thus does not have to be matched with the EC window, and installed, in the field. The window controllers described herein have a number of advantages because they are matched to the IGU containing one or more EC devices and their proximity to the EC panes of the window overcomes a number of problems associated with conventional controller configurations. Also described are self-meshing networks for electrochromic windows.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

An Application Data Sheet is filed concurrently with this specificationas part of the present application. Each application that the presentapplication claims benefit of or priority to as identified in theconcurrently filed Application Data Sheet is incorporated by referenceherein in their entireties and for all purposes.

FIELD

The invention relates to electrochromic devices, more particularly tocontrollers and associated components, systems and networks forelectrochromic windows.

BACKGROUND

Electrochromism is a phenomenon in which a material exhibits areversible electrochemically-mediated change in an optical property whenplaced in a different electronic state, typically by being subjected toa voltage change. The optical property is typically one or more ofcolor, transmittance, absorbance, and reflectance.

Electrochromic materials may be incorporated into, for example, windowsfor home, commercial and other uses as thin film coatings on the windowglass. The color, transmittance, absorbance, and/or reflectance of suchwindows may be changed by inducing a change in the electrochromicmaterial, for example, electrochromic windows are windows that can bedarkened or lightened electronically. A small voltage applied to anelectrochromic device (EC) of the window will cause them to darken;reversing the voltage polarity causes them to lighten. This capabilityallows control of the amount of light that passes through the windows,and presents an opportunity for electrochromic windows to be used asenergy-saving devices.

While electrochromism was discovered in the 1960's, EC devices, andparticularly EC windows, still unfortunately suffer various problems andhave not begun to realize their full commercial potential despite manyrecent advancements in EC technology, apparatus and related methods ofmaking and/or using EC devices. For example, there still remain issueswith hard wiring EC windows into a building. It would therefore bebeneficial to have EC windows that do not require hard wiring, i.e.,where wiring is optional and if present, the wiring is less complex thancurrent systems.

SUMMARY

“Localized” controllers for EC windows are described. In someembodiments, a localized controller is an “onboard” or “in situ”controller, where the window controller is part of a window assembly andthus does not have to be matched with a window and installed in thefield. Additionally, communication networks and power distributionsystems designed for interfacing with localized controllers in abuilding provide various benefits. For example, some embodimentseliminate the problematic issue of varying wire length from EC window tocontroller in conventional systems. In some embodiments, a localizedcontroller is incorporated into or onto the IGU and/or the window frameprior to installation. Also described are mesh networks forcommunicating between electrochromic windows, auto-configuration ofelectrochromic windows, as well as various features related to powergeneration, power connections, communication, mapping, and informationrelated to sensors, tracking, learning, etc. The various featuresdescribed herein are particularly useful in designing easy to installand easy to operate electrochromic windows.

Various embodiments herein relate to electrochromic IGUs, networks ofelectrochromic IGUs, and methods of manufacturing electrochromic IGUs.In many embodiments, an electrochromic IGU may include an in situcontroller.

In one aspect of the disclosed embodiments, an insulated glass unit(IGU) is provided, including: at least one electrochromic lite orientedin a first plane; at least one additional lite oriented in a secondplane parallel to the first plane; a sealing separator positionedbetween the electrochromic lite and the additional pane; and a windowcontroller including logic configured to control the at least oneelectrochromic pane, where the window controller is mounted between thefirst plane and the second plane on at least one of the electrochromicpane, the additional pane, and/or the sealing separator.

In certain embodiments, the window controller is accessible through theelectrochromic lite and/or the additional lite without uninstalling ordeconstructing the IGU. In some such cases, the electrochromic liteand/or additional lite include a notch or cutout shaped to allow accessto the window controller. For example, the IGU may include a viewablearea surrounded by a perimeter region, the perimeter region designed tofit within a frame, and the window controller and the notch or cutoutmay be positioned at least partially within the viewable area of theIGU. The window controller may be removably mounted to theelectrochromic lite and/or the additional pane. In some cases, the notchor cutout is shaped such that the window controller may pass through thenotch or cutout when the IGU is installed in a frame. In variousimplementations, the sealing separator defines an interior region of theIGU that is sealed off from the ambient environment, the interior regionof the IGU located interior of the sealing separator and between theelectrochromic lite and the additional pane, and the window controlleris positioned proximate the notch or cutout and is exposed to theambient environment. The IGU may further include a second sealingseparator positioned proximate the cutout, where the sealing separatorand second sealing separator together define an interior region of theIGU that is sealed off from the ambient environment, the interior regionof the IGU located interior of the sealing separator, outside of thesecond sealing separator, and between the electrochromic lite and theadditional pane, where the window controller is positioned proximate thecutout and is exposed to the ambient environment.

In some embodiments, the IGU further includes a mechanism for receivingwireless power and/or generating power such that the IGU does notrequire external wires for providing power to the IGU. The mechanism forgenerating power may include a photovoltaic panel, a thermoelectricgenerator, a battery, or a combination thereof.

The window controller may be capable of communicating with a secondcontroller through wireless communication. In some such cases, thewindow controller may be configured to operate in a self-meshingnetwork. The window controller may be configured to sense one or morenearby IGUs and receive data from the nearby IGUs to thereby generate amap of all IGUs on the self-meshing network. Wireless power delivery mayalso be used in certain embodiments. The IGU may further include awireless power transmitter for delivering power from the IGU to a nearbyIGU on the self-meshing network. The IGU may also include a wirelesspower receiver for receiving power from nearby IGUs on the self-meshingnetwork.

In another aspect of the disclosed embodiments, a network ofelectrochromic windows is provided, the network including: a pluralityof electrochromic windows, each electrochromic window including at leastone electrochromic pane, at least one additional pane, a sealingseparator positioned between the electrochromic lite and the additionalpane, and a window controller positioned on the electrochromic pane oras part of an assembly of the electrochromic window, the windowcontroller including logic for controlling the electrochromic lite andcommunication logic for wirelessly communicating with otherelectrochromic windows on a self-meshing network. Other embodimentsinclude a self-meshing network of electrochromic windows, whether or notthe controller is onboard or part of the electrochromic window assembly.

In some embodiments, each electrochromic window is capable of sensingnearby electrochromic windows on the self-meshing network to generaterelative position data, and at least one controller on the network isconfigured to process the relative position data to generate a mapshowing the relative physical locations of the electrochromic windows onthe self-meshing network. In some such cases, at least one controller onthe self-meshing network may be configured to receive global positioningsystem (GPS) data related to at least one electrochromic window on theself-meshing network, and the at least one controller may be configuredto generate a map showing the absolute physical locations of theelectrochromic windows on the self-meshing network based on the globalpositioning system data and the relative position data.

In certain implementations, at least one of the electrochromic windowson the self-meshing network may further include a GPS sensor forgenerating GPS data. In these or other cases, at least one of theelectrochromic windows on the self-meshing network may further include acompass for generating compass data, and the relative position data mayinclude at least the compass data. At least one of the electrochromicwindows on the self-meshing network may include an exterior light sensorand associated logic for generating sun tracking data, and the relativeposition data may include at least the sun tracking data. As mentioned,the electrochromic windows may transfer power and/or communicationwirelessly. In some embodiments, at least one of the electrochromicwindows on the self-meshing network includes a wireless powertransmitter for wirelessly distributing power to other electrochromicwindows on the self-meshing network.

The window controller may be provided at a variety of positions andusing a variety of configurations as presented herein. In oneembodiment, the window controller of at least one of the electrochromicwindows on the network is positioned on the electrochromic lite and/orthe additional pane, between a first plane corresponding to theelectrochromic lite and a second plane corresponding to the additionalpane. In some such cases, the window controller of the at least oneelectrochromic window on the self-meshing network may be positionedwithin a viewable area of the electrochromic window, and may beaccessible through a notch or cutout on the electrochromic lite oradditional lite without uninstalling or deconstructing theelectrochromic window. In another embodiment, the window controller maybe provided with the electrochromic lite or additional lite, but notbetween these lites. The controller may be on one lite of a laminateconstruction, either the electrochromic lite or the mate lite of thelaminate. The controller may be in a frame that holds the laminate or anIGU, where the frame is part of the window assembly; that is, the frameis not part of a building's framing system or curtain wall, but is acomponent of a self-contained window assembly. Such a window assemblymay itself fit into traditional framing systems for windows, such ascurtain walls and the like.

In a further aspect of the disclosed embodiments, an insulated glassunit (IGU) is provided, the IGU including: at least one electrochromiclite oriented in a first plane; at least one additional lite oriented ina second plane parallel to the first plane; a sealing separatorpositioned between the electrochromic lite and the additional pane; asealed interior region between the electrochromic lite and theadditional pane, where a perimeter of the sealed region is defined bythe sealing separator; and a window controller including logicconfigured to control the at least one electrochromic pane, where thewindow controller is positioned between the first plane and the secondplane, where the window controller is not positioned within the sealedinterior region, and where the window controller is physicallyaccessible by an installer during installation of the IGU.

In yet another aspect of the disclosed embodiments, an insulated glassunit (IGU) is provided, including: an electrochromic lite including: atransparent substrate, an electrochromic device positioned on thetransparent substrate, and bus bars for driving an optical transition onthe electrochromic device; an additional lite oriented parallel to theelectrochromic lite; a spacer positioned between the electrochromic liteand the additional lite; a dock positioned on either the electrochromiclite or on the additional lite, where the dock is configured to secure acarrier onto the electrochromic lite or the additional lite, the carrierincluding at least one component for controlling optical transitions onthe electrochromic device.

In certain implementations, the IGU further includes one or moreelectrical connections for delivering power from (a) either the dock orthe carrier to (b) the bus bars on the electrochromic lite. The dock maybe positioned on the additional lite in some cases, while in other casesthe dock may be positioned on the electrochromic lite.

The electrical connections can take many forms. In some embodiments, theone or more electrical connections for delivering power from (a) eitherthe dock or the carrier to (b) the bus bars on the electrochromic litemay include flexible tape with conductive lines provided thereon, theflexible tape extending around an edge of the lite on which the dock ispositioned. In these or other embodiments, the one or more electricalconnections for delivering power from (a) either the dock or the carrierto (b) the bus bars on the electrochromic lite may include a clip thatsecures around an edge of the lite on which the dock is positioned, theclip including conductive lines for delivering power. In some cases, theone or more electrical connections for delivering power from (a) eitherthe dock or the carrier to (b) bus bars on the electrochromic lite mayinclude flexible tape with conductive lines provided thereon, theflexible tape extending around an edge of the additional lite, proximatethe spacer, and onto the electrochromic lite. In these or other cases,the one or more electrical connections for delivering power from (a)either the dock or the carrier to (b) the bus bars on the electrochromiclite may include a clip that secures around an edge of the additionallite, the clip including conductive lines for delivering power, the IGUfurther including one or more electrical connections for deliveringpower between the clip and the bus bars on the electrochromic lite. Incertain implementations, the one or more electrical connections fordelivering power from (a) either the dock or the carrier to (b) the busbars on the electrochromic lite provide temporary electricalconnections. In some cases, the one or more electrical connections fordelivering power between the clip and the bus bars on the electrochromiclite may include: (i) a block of material including conductive lines,the block of material being positioned between the electrochromic liteand the additional lite, or (ii) a wire attached to and positionedbetween the electrochromic lite and the additional lite. A secondaryseal material may be positioned proximate a periphery of the IGU in somecases, between the electrochromic lite and the additional lite,peripherally exterior of the spacer, and at least partially peripherallyexterior of the electrical connections for delivering power from (a)either the dock or the carrier to (b) bus bars on the electrochromiclite.

A number of different types of docks may be used. For example, the dockmay be a socket into which the carrier fits. In some other cases, thedock may be a base onto which the carrier fits. In some embodiments, theIGU further includes the carrier. The carrier may lock into the docksuch that it can only be removed from the dock by an authorized person.In some implementations, the dock may be configured to receive powerfrom a wired power source. In some such implementations, the IGU furtherincludes the carrier, and the carrier may receive power from the dock.In these or other embodiments, the carrier may be configured to receivepower from a wired power source.

In certain implementations, the IGU further includes the carrier, wherethe carrier includes an electrical connection structure configured todeliver power either (i) to the dock, or (ii) through the dock, to acomponent positioned between the dock and the lite on which the dock ispositioned. The electrical connection structure may deliver power to anelectrical connection that delivers power from (a) a surface on theelectrochromic lite or on the additional lite on which the dock ispositioned to (b) a different surface on the electrochromic lite or onthe additional lite, the electrical connection serving to directly orindirectly provide power to bus bars on the electrochromic lite. Theelectrical connection structure may deliver power to a component of anantenna that is patterned onto the lite on which the dock is positioned.In some embodiments, the electrical connection structure is a pogo pin.In one embodiment, the IGU further includes a photovoltaic film providedon either the electrochromic lite or on the additional lite, where thepogo pin transfers power via an electrical connection that deliverspower between (a) a surface on the electrochromic lite or on theadditional lite on which the dock is positioned, and (b) a differentsurface on the electrochromic lite or on the additional lite, theelectrical connection serving to directly or indirectly deliver powerfrom the photovoltaic film to the dock or carrier.

In one embodiment, the IGU further includes the carrier, where thecarrier includes a photosensor for sensing exterior light levels, andwhere the dock includes a perforation through which the photosensormeasures the exterior light levels, where the dock, carrier, andphotosensor are positioned such that the photosensor has a clear line ofsight through the electrochromic lite and the additional lite. Thecarrier may include a photosensor for sensing interior light levels insome cases. In certain embodiments, the electrochromic lite includes aconnection point where power to both bus bars is delivered to theelectrochromic lite, the electrochromic lite further includingconductive lines printed thereon to provide an electrical connectionbetween the connection point on the electrochromic lite and the bus barson the electrochromic lite. In some embodiments, multiple connectionpoints are provided such that the dock and carrier can be positioned ata number of different locations on the IGU.

The IGU may have a number of different configurations. In someembodiments, the electrochromic lite may be positioned outboard of theadditional lite, and the dock may be positioned on the additional litesuch that it is accessible to a person standing in a building in whichthe IGU is installed. A frame may also be provided, for examplesurrounding a periphery of the IGU, where the frame includes aperforation positioned proximate the dock, and where an electricalconnection passes through the perforation in the frame to bring power toeither the dock or the carrier. In some cases, a cover is provided overthe dock, where the cover extends no more than about 0.1 inches from asurface on which the dock is positioned. The IGU may further include amemory component storing information about the IGU, where the memorycomponent is provided either (i) in the dock, or (ii) in the carrier.

These and other features and advantages will be described in furtherdetail below, with reference to the associated drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following detailed description can be more fully understood whenconsidered in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1A depicts conventional fabrication of an IGU including an EC liteand incorporation into a window assembly.

FIG. 1B depicts a conventional wiring scheme for EC window controllers.

FIGS. 2A-2D show schematic views of window assemblies having IGUs withonboard controllers.

FIG. 2E is a schematic of an onboard window controller.

FIGS. 3A-3F are schematic representations of wireless power transmissionnetworks as described herein.

FIG. 3G depicts a wiring scheme including EC windows with onboard windowcontrollers.

FIG. 4A depicts a distributed network of EC window controllers withconventional end or leaf controllers as compared to a distributednetwork with EC windows having onboard controllers

FIG. 4B illustrates a building with a number of electrochromic windowsconnected in a mesh network.

FIG. 4C depicts a map of the electrochromic windows of the buildingshown in FIG. 4B as generated by one or more controllers on the meshnetwork.

FIG. 5A is a schematic of an onboard window controller.

FIG. 5B depicts an onboard controller configuration having a userinterface according to certain embodiments.

FIGS. 6A and 6B depict automated and non-automated daisy chainconfigurations for EC windows and controllers, respectively.

FIG. 7 depicts one embodiment of a self-powered wireless windowconfiguration.

FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of an IGU having multiple docksconfigured to hold a window controller.

FIGS. 9A-9F show embodiments of an IGU having an integrated photosensoraccording to certain embodiments.

FIGS. 10A-10C depict embodiments of an IGU having a controller mountedon a dock on an inboard pane of the IGU.

FIG. 10D depicts a conductive tape that may be used in some embodiments.

FIGS. 10E and 10F illustrate a portion of an IGU having a dock and/orcontroller installed on an inboard pane of the IGU.

FIG. 10G depicts one embodiment of a dock that may be used in someembodiments.

FIG. 10H illustrates a controller and dock according to one embodiment.

FIG. 10I illustrates the controller and dock of FIG. 10H positioned on alite of an IGU according to one embodiment.

FIGS. 11A-11C depict lites having various wiring schemes for providingpower to the bus bars of an electrochromic device.

FIG. 12 illustrates a stack of IGUs having docks thereon, the IGUs beingseparated by pads for shipping.

FIGS. 13A and 13B present flow charts for methods of manufacturingelectrochromic IGUs according to certain embodiments.

FIG. 14A is a flowchart describing a method of commissioningelectrochromic windows.

FIG. 14B is a representation of the physical location of a plurality ofelectrochromic windows that is commissioned in the context of FIGS.14A-14G.

FIG. 14C illustrates in closer detail certain steps that may be takenduring the method of FIG. 14A.

FIG. 14D is a representation of a network of electrochromic windows thatmay be used in the context of FIGS. 14A-14G.

FIGS. 14E and 14G depict example graphical user interfaces that may beused for commissioning electrochromic windows using the method of FIG.14A.

FIG. 14F is a flowchart further explaining certain steps that may occurin the method of FIG. 14A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Electrochromic windows may be used in a variety of settings, for examplein office buildings and residential buildings. The complexity of manyconventional electrochromic windows (e.g., wiring, installation andprogramming of a controller, etc.) may discourage their use. Forexample, residential customers are likely to have windows installed bylocal contractors who may be unfamiliar with electrochromic windows andtheir installation requirements. As such, one goal in certain disclosedembodiments is to provide electrochromic IGUs and window assemblies thatare as easy to install as non-electrochromic windows. Certain disclosedfeatures that promote easy installation include wireless powercapability and/or self-power capability, wireless control communication,self-meshing networks, on-board controllers, and a form factor matchingcommonly available windows, e.g., double-pane or triple-pane IGUs. Otherfeatures that may be included in various embodiments include, but arenot limited to, cellular or other antennae provided on a window, acellular repeater in a controller, touch panel controls,mountable/removable controllers, learning functionality, weathertracking, sharing of sensor outputs and other control informationbetween windows, sub-frames that may include certain controllercomponents, wireless bus bars, built-in photo sensors and other sensors,etc. Any two or more of these features may be combined as desired for aparticular application.

In some embodiments, an IGU or other window assembly is provided as asimple, self-contained, ready-to-go unit that requires at most minimalphysical connection (e.g., wires) before use. Such a unit might looklike a non-electrochromic IGU or window assembly (with a controllersomewhere therein or thereon) and be installed in substantially the samemanner as a conventional IGU. These embodiments are particularlybeneficial for residential customers who desire a quick install withoutsignificant additional work related to routing electrical power,communication lines, etc.

Electrochromic Windows and Localized Window Controllers

An “in situ” controller, as described herein, is a window controllerthat is associated with, and controls, a single EC window. Typically thecontroller will be attached to glass of an IGU or laminate but may be ina frame that houses the IGU or laminate. An EC window may include one,two, three or more individual EC panes (an EC device on a transparentsubstrate). Also, an individual pane of an EC window may have an ECcoating that has independently tintable zones. A controller as describedherein can control all EC coatings associated with that window, whetherthe EC coating is monolithic or zoned. As used herein, the terms pane,lite, and substrate are used interchangeably. An EC window may be in theform of an IGU, a laminate structure or both, i.e., where an IGU has oneor more laminated panes as its lites, e.g., a double pane IGU where onepane is a single sheet of glass and the other pane is a laminate of twosheets of glass. A laminate may have two, three or more sheets of glass.

The controller is generally configured in close proximity to the ECwindow, generally adjacent to, on the glass or inside an IGU, within aframe of the self-contained assembly, for example. In some embodiments,the window controller is an “in situ” controller; that is, thecontroller is part of a window assembly, an IGU or a laminate, and maynot have to be matched with the EC window, and installed, in the field,e.g., the controller travels with the window as part of the assemblyfrom the factory. The controller may be installed in the window frame ofa window assembly, or be part of an IGU or laminate assembly, forexample, mounted on or between panes of the IGU or on a pane of alaminate. In some embodiments, a localized controller may be provided asmore than one part, with at least one part (e.g., including a memorycomponent storing information about the associated EC window) beingprovided as a part of the window assembly and at least one other partbeing separate and configured to mate with the at least one part that ispart of the window assembly, IGU or laminate. In certain embodiments, acontroller may be an assembly of interconnected parts that are not in asingle housing, but rather spaced apart, e.g., in the secondary seal ofan IGU. In other embodiments the controller is a compact unit, e.g., ina single housing or in two or more components that combine, e.g., a dockand housing assembly, that is proximate the glass, not in the viewablearea, or mounted on the glass in the viewable area.

It should be understood that while the disclosed embodiments focus onelectrochromic windows, the concepts may apply to other types ofswitchable optical devices such as liquid crystal devices and suspendedparticle devices.

Certain window controllers described herein have a number of advantagesbecause they are matched to the IGU containing one or more EC devices.In one embodiment, the controller is incorporated into or onto the IGUand/or the window frame prior to installation of the EC window. In oneembodiment, the controller is incorporated into or onto the IGU and/orthe window frame prior to leaving the manufacturing facility. In oneembodiment, the controller is incorporated into the IGU, substantiallywithin the secondary seal. In another embodiment, the controller isincorporated into or onto the IGU, partially, substantially, or whollywithin a perimeter defined by the primary seal between the sealingseparator and the substrate.

Having the controller as part of an IGU and/or a window assembly, theIGU can be characterized using logic and features of the controller thate.g., travels with the IGU or window unit. For example, when acontroller is part of the IGU assembly, in the event the characteristicsof the EC device(s) change over time, this characterization function canbe used, for example, to redirect into which product the IGU will beincorporated. In another example, if already installed in an EC windowunit, the logic and features of the controller can be used to calibratethe control parameters to match the intended installation, and forexample if already installed, the control parameters can be recalibratedto match the performance characteristics of the EC pane(s).

In other embodiments, a particular controller is not pre-associated witha window, but rather a dock component, e.g., having parts generic to anyEC window, is associated with each window at the factory. After windowinstallation, or otherwise in the field, a second component of thecontroller is combined with the dock component to complete the EC windowcontroller assembly. The dock component may include a chip which isprogrammed at the factory with the physical characteristics andparameters of the particular window to which the dock is attached (e.g.,on the surface which will face the building's interior afterinstallation, sometimes referred to as surface 4 or “S4”). The secondcomponent (sometimes called a “carrier,” “casing,” “housing,” or“controller”) is mated with the dock, and when powered, the secondcomponent can read the chip and configure itself to power the windowaccording to the particular characteristics and parameters stored on thechip. In this way, the shipped window need only have its associatedparameters stored on a chip, which is integral with the window, whilethe more sophisticated circuitry and components can be combined later(e.g., shipped separately and installed by the window manufacturer afterthe glazier has installed the windows, followed by commissioning by thewindow manufacturer). Various embodiments will be described in moredetail below.

In this application, an “IGU” includes two (or more) substantiallytransparent substrates, for example, two panes of glass, where at leastone substrate includes an EC device disposed thereon, and the panes havea separator disposed between them. An IGU is typically hermeticallysealed, having an interior region that is isolated from the ambientenvironment. A “window assembly” may include an IGU or for example astand-alone laminate, and includes electrical leads for connecting theIGU's or laminate's one or more EC devices to a voltage source, switchesand the like, and may include a frame that supports the IGU or laminate.A window assembly may include a window controller as described herein,and/or components of a window controller (e.g., a dock).

As used herein, the term outboard means closer to the outsideenvironment, while the term inboard means closer to the interior of abuilding. For example, in the case of an IGU having two panes, the panelocated closer to the outside environment is referred to as the outboardpane or outer pane, while the pane located closer to the inside of thebuilding is referred to as the inboard pane or inner pane. The differentsurfaces of the IGU may be referred to as S1, S2, S3, and S4 (assuming atwo-pane IGU). S1 refers to the exterior-facing surface of the outboardlite (i.e., the surface that can be physically touched by someonestanding outside). S2 refers to the interior-facing surface of theoutboard lite. S3 refers to the exterior-facing surface of the inboardlite. S4 refers to the interior-facing surface of the inboard lite(i.e., the surface that can be physically touched by someone standinginside the building). In other words, the surfaces are labeled S1-S4,starting from the outermost surface of the IGU and counting inwards. Incases where an IGU includes three panes, this same trend holds (with S6being the surface that can be physically touched by someone standinginside the building). For context, a discussion of conventional windowcontroller technology follows.

FIG. 1A depicts an EC window fabrication and control procedure, 100. AnEC pane, 105, having an EC device (not shown, but for example on surfaceA) and bus bars, 110, which power the EC device, is matched with anotherglass pane, 115 (either or both of 110 and 115 may themselves belaminate structures). During fabrication of IGU, 125, a separator, 120,is sandwiched in between and registered with substrates 105 and 115. TheIGU 125 has an associated interior space defined by the faces of thesubstrates in contact with separator 120 and the interior surfaces ofthe separator. Separator 110 is typically a sealing separator, that is,includes a spacer and sealing between the spacer and each substratewhere they adjoin in order to hermetically seal the interior region andthus protect the interior from moisture and the like. Typically, oncethe glass panes are sealed to the separator, secondary sealing may beapplied around the perimeter edges of the IGU in order to impart furthersealing from the ambient, as well as further structural integrity to theIGU. The IGU 125 must be wired to a controller via wires, 130. In thisexample, the IGU is supported by a frame to create a window assembly,135. Window assembly 135 is connected, via wires 130, to a controller,140. Controller 140 may also be connected to one or more sensors in theframe via communication lines 145.

As depicted in FIG. 1A, conventional EC window controllers are not insitu, that is, they are not mounted on or otherwise part of the windowassembly and are therefore installed outside of the IGU and/or windowassembly (or not attached to a stand-alone laminate) and/or not in theframe. Also, conventional window controllers have more associated wiringparts to ship from the manufacturer to the installation site, and thishas associated tracking pitfalls such as mismatching of window,associated controller, and cabling. Mismatched controller and window cancause installation delays and damage to the controller and/or IGU. Allthese factors contribute to higher cost of EC windows. Also, sinceconventional controllers are remotely located, often with long anddiffering lengths of low voltage (e.g., less than 10 v DC) wiring andthus are wired to one or more EC windows as part of the installation ofthe EC windows.

Referring to an embodiment herein, an in situ controller may be in aframe that holds the laminate or an IGU, where the frame is part of thewindow assembly; that is, the frame is not part of a building's framingsystem or curtain wall, but is a component of a self-contained windowassembly. Such a window assembly may itself fit into traditional framingsystems for windows, such as curtain walls and the like. The assembly isakin to that depicted in FIG. 1A, but with a clear distinction in thatthe controller is inside the frame of the assembly and is thus part of aself-contained unit. The frame is part of the assembly that isfabricated as the end product. The framed window assembly is theninstalled into a glazing pocket or curtain wall in the same manner thattraditional IGUs would be installed. The frame may be very thin andtherefore the overall dimensions of the assembly are similar to aconventional IGU without such a frame.

Referring to FIG. 1B, controllers 140 each control an EC window 135.Typically the controllers are located proximate to a single location andso low voltage wiring 130 is of varying length. This is true even ifonly one controller controls multiple windows. There are associatedcurrent drop offs and losses due to this long wiring. Also, since thecontroller is located remotely, any control feedback or diagnosticsensors mounted in the window assembly require separate wiring to be runto the controller—increasing cost and complexity of installation. Also,any identification numbers on the IGU are hidden by the frame and maynot be easily accessible, which makes it problematic to check IGUinformation checking warranty or other vendor information.

In one embodiment, localized controllers are installed as part offraming materials that will serve, at least partially, as the frame forthe EC window, where the IGU's or laminates are installed into theframing. Thus, one embodiment is a method of installing an EC window andassociated controller into a wall, the method including (a) installingthe associated controller unit into a wall, and (b) installing either anEC window unit which includes a window frame of the EC window, orinstalling an IGU or laminate, where the wall framing serves as theframe for the EC window.

In one embodiment, controllers described herein are part of a windowassembly. One embodiment is a window assembly including: a substantiallytransparent substrate having an electrochromic device disposed thereon;and a controller as part of the window assembly for providing opticalswitching control for the electrochromic device. In one embodiment, thewindow assembly further includes: a second substantially transparentsubstrate; and a sealing separator between the first and secondsubstantially transparent substrates, which sealing separator defines,together with the first and second substantially transparent substrates,an interior region that is thermally insulating. In one embodiment, thecontroller is embedded in or affixed to the sealing separator. Inanother embodiment, the controller is attached to one of the first andsecond substantially transparent substrates. In one embodiment, thecontroller includes control logic for directing electrochromic device toswitch between three or more optical states. In one embodiment, thecontroller is configured to prevent the electrochromic device from beingconnected to in a reverse polarity mode to an external power source. Inone embodiment, the controller is configured to be powered by a sourcedelivering between about 2 and 10 volts. There can be included in thewindow assembly, supply lines for delivering both power andcommunications to the controller or only power where the controllerincludes wireless communication capability.

In one embodiment, the window assembly includes an IGU with at least oneEC pane; and a window controller configured to control the at least oneEC lite of the IGU of the window assembly. In some embodiments, thewindow controller is not positioned within the viewable area of the IGU.In other embodiments, the window controller is positioned fully orpartially in the viewable area of the IGU. In one embodiment, the windowcontroller is positioned outside of the primary seal of the IGU. Thecontroller could be in the window frame and/or in between the panes ofthe IGU or on an outer surface of one of the panes of the IGU. In oneembodiment, the window controller is positioned at least partiallybetween the individual panes of the IGU, outside of the primary seal. Inone embodiment, the window controller may span a distance from a pointbetween the two panes of the IGU and a point beyond the panes, forexample, so that the portion that extends beyond the panes resides in,at least partially, the frame of the window assembly.

In one embodiment, the window controller is between and does not extendbeyond the individual panes of the IGU. In this configuration, thewindow controller can be, for example, wired to the EC device(s) of theEC panes of the IGU and included in the secondary sealing of the IGU.This incorporates the window controller into the secondary seal;although it may be partially exposed to the ambient for wiring purposes.In one embodiment, the controller may only need a power socket exposed,and thus be “plugged in” to a low voltage source (for example a 24 vsource) because the controller communicates otherwise via wirelesstechnology and/or through the power lines (e.g., like Ethernet overpower lines). In another embodiment, a dock may be provided in thesecondary seal and the controller (or one or more components typicallyfound in a controller such as a chip storing parameters relevant to theassociated electrochromic window) may be inserted into the dock, like acartridge. The wiring from the controller to the EC device, for examplebetween 2 v and 10 v, is minimized due to the proximity of thecontroller to the EC device.

In some embodiments, the controller is incorporated into the IGU,partially, substantially, or wholly within a perimeter defined by theprimary seal between the sealing separator and the substrate. Similarly,in some embodiments, an IGU includes a memory component that isprogrammed with instructions to control the electrochromic device of theIGU, where the memory component is positioned partially, substantially,or wholly within the perimeter defined by the primary seal. In someimplementations, the IGU contains a memory element that storesinformation other than controller instructions; such information maydescribe characteristics of the window, the electrochromic device, thelocalized controller, or other information pertinent to the operation ofthe window.

In some cases, the controller is positioned fully or partially within aspacer. For example, the controller may be provided within the hollowinterior of a spacer, or within a spacer key (e.g., within the hollowinterior of a spacer key) that attaches two ends of a spacer together.The spacer key having the controller therein can then be popped into thespacer and installed in an IGU. The controller may have certaincomponents that extend beyond the edge of a spacer key into the spacer,or the controller may be substantially within the spacer key. In oneexample, the controller is wholly within the spacer key, and no part ofthe controller extends beyond the edges of the spacer key. In anotherembodiment, a controller is embedded in a foam spacer. In such cases,the controller may not be visible when looking at the foam spacer (e.g.,the controller is completely encapsulated by foam). Examples of spacersand spacer keys that may be modified to include a controller are furtherdiscussed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,711,465, titled “SPACERS FOR INSULATEDGLASS UNITS,” which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.In various cases where the controller is at least partially within theperimeter defined by the primary seal, the controller does not extendpast the edges of the panes of the IGU. One advantage of having acontroller wholly within the perimeter defined by the primary seal isthat the controller is protected from the elements.

A controller may itself have a sealing component in some embodiments.For instance, a sealing material may be placed on one or more sides of acontroller, such sealing material/sides mating with one or more of thepanes of the IGU. In one embodiment, a dock may reside between the panesof an IGU, and may have sealing material where the dock mates with theglass panes. In some such cases, the controller (or various componentsthereof) may be provided as a cartridge that inserts into the dock inbetween the glass panes. The controller may extend beyond the edges ofthe glass panes, or not. In one embodiment, a controller (or dock asdescribed herein) has a height (thickness) that is nearly the distancebetween the panes of the IGU, the remaining distance being occupied bysealant on both sides of the controller (or dock).

As used herein, the term controller refers to the logical hardwareand/or software for controlling and powering window transitions, and forcommunicating with other components on a network and/or communicatingwith power supplies. The various components of the controller may beprovided together in a single controller unit in some cases, while inother cases one or more controller components may be provided separatelyfrom the others, sometimes in a different piece of hardware.

In a number of embodiments, the controller may be provided in a carrier(sometimes referred to as a casing or housing) that interfaces and/ormates with a dock positioned somewhere on the window assembly, forexample in a socket or on a base. A dock may be mounted on or near thewindow assembly to provide a convenient configuration for attaching thecarrier, which often houses some or all of the components of thecontroller. In certain implementations, the dock is a piece of plasticor other material that is sized and located to hold and/or lock thecarrier at an appropriate location on or near the IGU. The dock servesas a positioning element for the carrier on the window, and may alsofacilitate an electrical connection between the carrier and bus bars ofthe electrochromic device. The dock may include the aforementioned chipor memory containing physical characteristics or other parameters of theEC window to which it is associated (such characteristics/parameters aretypically programmed into the chip/memory at the factory in which the ECwindow is fabricated).

As mentioned, the dock may be a socket or a base in some embodiments. Asocket may be a housing or frame into which the carrier may be insertedand removed. Similarly, a base may be a piece of hardware onto which thecontroller may be installed. In various cases, a base may engage with acarrier on only the back side of the carrier. In one embodiment, a basewill have a smaller footprint (area on the window or other surface onwhich it is mounted) than a carrier, and a carrier will essentiallysurround the base such that the base is not visible when the carrier ismated with the base. A socket may engage with a carrier on additionalsides of the carrier, supporting the carrier at its periphery. A socketmay have a larger or smaller footprint than a carrier. In many cases, asocket may be at least partially visible when the carrier is installedin the socket. FIG. 10H, further described below, provides one exampleof a carrier 1051 mounted in a socket 1050. FIG. 10A, also describedfurther below, provides an example of a carrier 1008 mounted on abase1007.

Sockets, bases, and similar mounting hardware may be generally referredto as docks. In various cases, one or more components typically found ina controller may be provided in a dock. One example is a memorycomponent, which may store information and/or control algorithms relatedto the associated EC window. As noted above, the term controller refersto the logical hardware and/or software for controlling and poweringwindow transitions and for communicating as needed. Therefore, in suchcases, the term “the controller” may generally refer to the dock, thecarrier, or both (whichever component(s) include the relevant hardwareand/or software).

The dock may be positioned anywhere on the IGU. In various cases thedock is provided at a perimeter of the IGU. The dock may be partially,substantially, or wholly embedded in a secondary seal. This allows acarrier (which may include some or all of the controller components) tobe removed/swapped/upgraded without damaging the secondary seal.Similarly, the dock may be partially, substantially, or wholly locatedwithin a perimeter defined by the primary seal. The dock may be on theglass, e.g., on surface 4, and close to the frame of the window. Thedock may include sealing material to mate with one or both panes ofglass. In some embodiments, the dock hermetically seals the carrier fromthe secondary seal material, or otherwise protects the carrier from thesecondary seal material. One, two, three, four or more docks may beprovided on a single window, thus increasing flexibility duringinstallation. FIG. 8 provides an example of an IGU 800 having fourseparate docks 802, one positioned on each edge of the IGU 800. Eachdock has wiring to the bus bars of the EC window, thus there isredundant wiring to the bus bars. A carrier 804 housing a controller maybe placed in one of the docks 802, as indicated by the dotted arrows.Advantages to this system include that installers can use any one of theredundant docks for the controller, thus increasing installationflexibility; and, since there is redundant wiring to the bus bars, ifone dock's wiring should fail for some reason, the carrier (controller)can be inserted into one of the other docks, without having to replaceor repair the window.

In various embodiments, the dock is provided between the panes or on thelite closer to the building interior (i.e., the inboard lite, e.g., onsurface S4, e.g., near the frame that holds the EC window so as to notinterfere with the user's view through the window). The inboard lite mayinclude a notch or cutout, for example as described with relation toFIGS. 2B-2D. The sealing separator may be shaped to permit such notch orcutout on the inboard lite while maintaining a sealed interior region ofthe IGU. The outboard lite may be rectangular, without any notches orcutouts. The outboard lite therefore protects the carrier from theelements.

In some embodiments, the carrier shaped such that it fits on or in adock on a lite of the IGU, and does not extend beyond the perimeter ofthe IGU. Further, the carrier may be shaped such that it does not extendbeyond the thickness of the IGU, the thickness being measured in adirection normal to the surface of the panes.

Docks may be electrically connected to one another, as shown by wire 806for instance, such that power provided to any dock can be routed to thedock where a carrier is installed. The wire 806 may travel through theinterior region of a hollow spacer in some cases. The wire 806 may alsobe provided around a secondary seal (e.g., in the secondary seal, oraround the outer perimeter of the secondary seal). The docks can havebus bar lead connectors to provide power to the bus bars. The docks mayalso be electrically connected with other components, for example one ormore antennae patterned into a surface of one of the panes (discussedfurther below). In a particular example the wire connecting the dockscarries 24V power. A number of different electrical connectionconfigurations may be used to provide power to the carrier docked in/onthe dock. The docks may also be configured to include a memory componentas mentioned above. The memory component may hold information related toIGU identification, cycling data, window characteristics/properties, anydata that is particular to the individual IGU, etc. An IGU-specificmemory component may also be provided separately from the dock, forinstance in a local window controller/carrier that interfaces with thedock, or embedded separately into a secondary seal of the IGU. WhileFIG. 8 shows an IGU having four docks, the embodiments are not solimited. Any number of docks can be provided on any side of the IGU,with greater numbers of docks providing greater flexibility duringinstallation, and lower numbers of docks being less expensive tomanufacture. In one embodiment, only a single dock is provided. Inanother embodiment, only two docks are provided, e.g., where rectangularIGUs are constructed, each of one long side and one short side of theIGU may have its own dock, or the two docks may be positioned onopposite sides of the IGU.

The dock may be made from a variety of materials and can have manydifferent shapes, so long as it interfaces with the carrier to hold thecarrier in place as desired. In some implementations where a dockincludes a chip (e.g., including information related to the associatedIGU), the dock may be formed by placing the chip (and any associatedconnections) in a mold and pouring curable material (e.g., epoxy resin,plastic, etc.) around and over the chip (i.e., “potting” the circuit),or the chip may simply be covered with a conformal polymeric protectionlayer. After the material is cured, the dock can be installed on theIGU. Injection molding or similar techniques may be used. The chip maybe attached to the dock via various other methods, so long as the chipremains readable by the controller/carrier.

A carrier/controller may be formed in a similar manner in certainembodiments, with all relevant components (see FIGS. 10A-10C, forexample) being potted or otherwise covered with a polymeric protectionlayer. In a particular embodiment, substantially all of the controllercomponents are provided in this manner to form the carrier, with theexception of a battery or battery pack and/or supercapacitor, which caninterface with the molded carrier while being easilyswappable/replaceable. The battery may be shaped like a cover for thecarrier in some cases. In another embodiment, all or substantially allof the controller components are provided together via a moldingprocess, including a battery, to form the carrier. In certainembodiments the battery is a flat battery. If/when the battery dies, theentire carrier may be replaced. In another embodiment, the variouscomponents of the controller may each be provided either (i) in thecarrier itself or (ii) in a dock that interfaces with the carrier. Wherethe dock itself includes components typically found in the controller,the dock may be considered part of the controller.

The various controller components may be provided in the dock and/or inthe carrier that interfaces with the dock. The carrier may beswappable/replaceable as desired. In one example, controller componentsthat are specifically adapted to an associated IGU may be provided onthe dock, while more generic controller components may be provided in/onthe carrier. Examples of controller components that are adapted to anassociated IGU include a chip, card, or board having a memory componentthat is programmed to include information specific to the associatedIGU. By providing these specially adapted controller components directlyon the dock, the risk of mismatching the component with a different IGUis minimized. By contrast, there is no such risk of mismatch withrespect to the more generic controller components such as sensors (e.g.,interior and exterior photosensors, interior and exterior temperaturesensors, motion sensors, occupancy sensors, etc.), etc.

In some embodiments, a carrier may lock into a dock. This feature mayprevent theft and minimize the risk of damaging a carrier and thecontroller components therein. This also ensures that the only peoplewho have access to the carrier and the components therein are people whoare authorized to do so (e.g., an owner, installer, or other servicer).In some cases, a special tool may be used to unlock and undock a carrier(or a portion thereof) from a dock. In some such cases, this tool may beprovided on a long handle, making it easy to access carriers that arepositioned high on a window or skylight, for example. The tool mayutilize mechanisms that slip, slide, rotate, or otherwise move into andout of place to allow the carrier to be removed from the dock as needed.The tool may also utilize hardware to ensure that the carrier issupported after it is removed from the dock, minimizing the risk thatthe carrier falls to the floor after it is undocked. For example, theremoval tool may have one or more pins that when inserted into aperturesin the carrier, engage a mechanism that releases the carrier from thedock. For example, there can be interlocking components, held togetherby tension, and the pins relieve the tension and the carrier can beremoved from the dock (much like the mechanism for tamper proof removalof some car stereo receivers or face plates from their associateddocks). The removal tool can be a lock and key mechanism. One ofordinary skill in the art would appreciate that a number of interlockingand releasing mechanisms would fall within the scope of theseembodiments.

The use of docks further enables additional features that may be presentin certain embodiments. Specifically, custom carriers may be providedfor different purposes, which may interface with the dock as needed. Inone example, an installation carrier may be provided. This installationcarrier may include controller components useful for installing andtesting an electrochromic window, and may be used by an installer whenpositioning and/or hooking up an IGU. These components may be lesscomplex than the controller used to control the window during itsintended end use. In another embodiment, a carrier may be configured foruse in the factory setting, for more complex testing than aninstallation carrier, e.g., used in the field. Installation carriers andother custom carriers/controllers are discussed further below in thesection related to Packaging and Installation.

In certain implementations, a controller may include a photovoltaicpanel that, although the controller is mounted on surface 4, faces theoutside environment when the controller is in position on the window orin a notch adjacent to the window, for example. Such PV-enabledcontrollers are particularly useful when the controller can bepositioned in an area exposed to light, as in the case of FIGS. 2B-2D,for example. Power generated by the PV on the controller may be used topower the controller, or any components or functions thereof (e.g.,communication function), e.g., to charge a battery or supercapacitor inthe controller. If the PV is sufficiently efficient and the energy/powerrequirements for driving an optical transition are sufficiently low, thepower generated by the PV on the controller may be used to drive opticaltransitions on the window. In one example, the PV (or any other powersource that does not rely on delivering power to the IGU via wiresconnected to a building's power supply) on a controller or elsewhere onthe IGU may be used to power a controller such that it can communicatewith other nearby controllers/windows to establish and on a mesh network(described further below). As such, the windows may be able toauto-configure themselves without or before hooking them up to anotherpower source (in some cases 24V wired power). Where PV-configuredcontrollers (or other self-powered controllers that do not rely on wiredpower from a building power supply) are used to communicate withouthooking up to another power supply, the controller may use a low powercommunication method, for example low power radio frequencies using WiFior Bluetooth low energy (BLE).

In certain cases, the controller may be positioned in the viewable areaof the IGU on the inboard pane, e.g., S4 of a double-pane IGU or S6 of atriple pane IGU. Such a configuration may be beneficial in providing anaccessible on-board controller e.g., by building occupants. Controlleraccessibility is beneficial in the event that the controller needsservicing. One example of where servicing may be needed is where acontroller needs to have new batteries installed. Further, certaincomponents within a controller, or the controller itself, may break andneed to be fixed, upgraded, or replaced. Where a controller is sealedinto an IGU in a non-accessible manner, such servicing can be verychallenging. In embodiments where the controller is in the secondaryseal, even if docked as a cartridge type controller, the framing holdingthe window may have to be opened to access the controller and remove itfrom the dock.

To provide easy accessibility to the on-board controller, one or both ofthe panes may be specifically designed. For example, one or more panesmay have a notch or cutout that is positioned at least partially (andsometimes wholly) within what would otherwise be the viewable area ofthe IGU. The on-board controller may be positioned at this notch orcutout, and access to the controller may be achieved through such notchor cutout. In some cases the controller may be placed partially orwholly outside of the viewable area, but access to the controller isachieved through a notch or cutout located partially or wholly withinwhat would otherwise be the viewable area. For instance, the controllermay slide into place through the notch or cutout in the pane, into aposition that is behind a frame. A cover may be provided over thenotch/cutout to help protect the controller when it is not beingactively accessed. In one embodiment, the IGU includes a conventionallyshaped (e.g., rectangular) first lite (e.g., the outboard pane) on whichthe controller is removably mounted, and a second lite (e.g., theinboard pane) having a notch, cutout or other accessibility pointallowing the controller to be accessed. The conventionally shaped litemay be the lite facing the outside or the lite facing the inside of abuilding, depending upon e.g., desired access to the controller.Typically the controller access is desired from within the building.

It may be beneficial to have the notched/cutout lite facing the interiorof the building to provide easy access to the controller from the roomin which the IGU is located. In other cases, it may be beneficial tohave the notched/cutout lite facing the outside environment. One reasonthis may be useful is to provide easy access to the controllers fromoutside, which may be more convenient, particularly if a large number ofwindows are installed in different rooms. Where outside access isprovided, security measures may be taken to ensure that only people withproper permission are able to access the controllers (e.g., there may bea locked cover over the notch/cutout). In another embodiment, both theinside- and outside-facing panes are modified to include a notch orcutout through which the controller may be accessed. In order toaccommodate the notched/cutout EC pane(s), the sealing separator may bedesigned to accommodate the accessible controller while maintaining asufficient seal to protect the EC device(s) of the EC panes.

In another embodiment, an IGU having no notches or cutouts in the liteis provided with an easily accessible local window controller. In thesecases, the controller may be a “stick on” controller, which may bepositioned on an inboard lite (with the controller facing the interiorof a building, on surface S4), or on a frame of the window, or on a wallnext to a window. A ribbon cable or other electrical connection may beprovided to connect the controller to other components such as the IGUitself (e.g., electrical connections for powering the bus bars) or toupstream network components/cabling. The ribbon cable may provide powerand/or communication. A ribbon cable works well for this purpose becauseit can wrap around the edge of a pane, and a frame of a window can clampover the ribbon cable without damage. One benefit of these embodimentsis that there is no need to drill holes/notches/cutouts in the panes forfeeding wires.

Ribbon cables (and other electrical connections as described herein) canbe provided at various positions/sides of the IGU for flexibility duringinstallation, similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 . Where thecontroller is provided in a carrier in this “stick on” manner, it may beinstalled in a dock. The dock for the carrier/controller may be providedas a part of the indoor-facing inboard lite of the IGU, provideddirectly on surface S4 such that the position of the controller on thewindow is pre-determined, or it may be provided as a separate mountableunit. Where the dock is provided as part of the IGU, it is oftenpositioned near an edge or corner of the viewable area of the IGU, insome cases proximate a top or bottom edge of the viewable area. Wherethe dock for the carrier/controller is provided as a separate mountableunit, a user may mount the dock anywhere on the inboard pane, windowframe, or wall, so long as it is within reach of the ribbon cable orother electrical connector.

In these or other embodiments, the controller (which may or may notinclude a dock and/or carrier) may be relatively small. For instance,the controller (e.g., dock, carrier, or both) may have a height(thickness, as measured from the mounting surface of the dock or thesurface it's mounted to, to the opposite surface of the dock) of about ½inch or less, for example about ⅜ inch or less, for example ⅛ inch orless. The controller may also have a length of about 5 inches or less,for example about 4 inches or less, or about 3 inches or less, or about2 inches or less. Further, the controller may have a width that is about1 inch or less, for example about 12 inch or less. The height(thickness), length, and width may be measured in directions that areorthogonal to one another. In certain embodiments, the controller has asurface area of about 4 in² or less when considering the side of thecontroller that faces indoors, in other embodiments 3 in² or less, inyet other embodiments 2 in² or less. When the controller is provided ina carrier that interfaces with a dock, the dock may be larger or smallerthan the carrier. In a number of embodiments where the dock is a baseonto which the carrier is installed, the base may be smaller (in manycases significantly smaller) than the carrier. In one example, a basemay have a length that is about 4 inches or less, for example about 3inches or less, or about 2 inches or less, a width of about ½ inch orless, and a height (thickness) that is about ¼ inch or less, or about0.125 inches or less, or 0.08 inches or less. In one embodiment, thebase may be a flexible printed circuit material. Such materials areoften quite thin. Such a flexible printed circuit material may beadhesively attached to the glass in some cases.

Often, IGUs are shipped with small pads (e.g., cork pads) separatingadjacent IGUs in order to protect the IGUs during shipping. FIG. 12depicts three electrochromic IGUs 1240 a-c stacked next to one anotherfor shipping. Each IGU 1240 a-c includes a first lite 1200 a separatedfrom a second lite 1200 b by a spacer 1201. A dock 1207 is provided onan outer surface of each IGU 1240 a-c. In a similar example, the dock1207 may be omitted, and element 1207 may be a controller that ispositioned directly on the first lite 1200 a of each IGU (e.g., throughadhesives, etc.). In another example, dock 1207 is provided with acarrier therein (not shown) during shipping. Adjacent IGUs are separatedby small pads 1230, e.g., cork pads commonly used in the glass industry.An onboard controller, carrier, and/or dock 1207 may be designed suchthat it is thinner than pads 1230 used to separate the adjacent IGUs1240 a-c, thereby ensuring that the onboard controller, carrier, and/ordock 1207 does not scratch or otherwise damage an adjacent IGU andlikewise, is not damaged by contact with adjacent IGUs. Alternatively orin addition, a cover (not shown) may be provided over the onboardcontroller, carrier, and/or dock to prevent the relevant component fromscratching an adjacent IGU during shipping. One embodiment is a cover,e.g., a plastic cover or tape, which covers the dock, controller and/orcarrier. The cover can be removed, e.g., after the window is installedto keep the dock and its associated electrical contacts (describedfurther herein) from getting dirty during shipment and installation. Thecover could also be a vinyl peel off, held in place by electrostaticforces.

Electrochromic windows which are suitable for use with controllersdescribed herein include, but are not limited to, EC windows having one,two or more electrochromic panes. Windows having EC panes with ECdevices thereon that are all solid state and inorganic EC devices areparticularly well suited for controllers described herein due to theirexcellent switching and transition characteristics as well as lowdefectivity. Such windows are described in the following U.S. patentapplications: Ser. No. 12/645,111, entitled, “Fabrication ofLow-Defectivity Electrochromic Devices,” filed on Dec. 22, 2009 andnaming Mark Kozlowski et al. as inventors; Ser. No. 12/645,159,entitled, “Electrochromic Devices,” filed on Dec. 22, 2009 and namingZhongchun Wang et al. as inventors; Ser. Nos. 12/772,055 and 12/772,075,each filed on Apr. 30, 2010, and in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos.12/814,277 and 12/814,279, each filed on Jun. 11, 2010—each of thelatter four applications is entitled “Electrochromic Devices,” eachnames Zhongchun Wang et al. as inventors; Ser. No. 12/851,514, filed onAug. 5, 2010, and entitled “Multipane Electrochromic Windows,” each ofwhich is incorporated by reference herein for all purposes. Asmentioned, the controllers disclosed herein may useful for switchableoptical devices that are not electrochromic devices. Such alternativedevices include liquid crystal devices and suspended particle devices.

In certain embodiments, the EC device or devices of the EC windows facethe interior region of the IGU to protect them from the ambient. In oneembodiment, the EC window includes a two-state EC device. In oneembodiment, the EC window has only one EC lite, the lite may have atwo-state (optical) EC device (colored or bleached states) or a devicethat has variable transitions. In one embodiment, the window includestwo EC panes, each of which includes a two-state device thereon and theIGU has two optical states, in another embodiment, the IGU has fouroptical states. In one embodiment, the four optical states are: i)overall transmittance of between about 60% and about 90%; ii) overalltransmittance of between about 15% and about 30%; iii) overalltransmittance of between about 5% and about 10%; and iv) overalltransmittance of between about 0.1% and about 5%. In one embodiment, theEC window has one lite with an EC device having two states and anotherlite with an EC device with variable optical state capability. In oneembodiment, the EC window has two EC panes, each having an EC devicewith variable optical state capability. In one embodiment, the EC windowincludes three or more EC panes.

In certain embodiments, the EC windows are low-defectivity windows. Inone embodiment, the total number of visible defects, pinholes andshort-related pinholes created from isolating visible short-relateddefects in an EC device of the EC window is less than about 0.1 defectsper square centimeter, in another embodiment, less than about 0.045defects per square centimeter.

FIG. 2A depicts a window assembly, 200, including a window frame, 205.The viewable area of the window unit is indicated on the figure, insidethe perimeter of frame 205. As indicated by dotted lines, inside frame205, is an IGU, 210, which includes two glass panes separated by asealing separator, 215, shaded in gray. Window controller, 220, isbetween the glass panes of IGU 210 and, in this example, does not extendbeyond the perimeter of the glass panes of the IGU. The windowcontroller need not be incorporated into a single enclosure as depicted,and need not be along a single edge of the IGU. For example, in oneembodiment, the controller resides along two, three or four edges of theIGU, in some instances, all within the secondary seal zone. In someembodiments, the window controller can extend beyond the perimeter ofthe IGU and into a frame of the window assembly.

The controller between the panes of glass may have electrical wiringdirectly to it for control, and/or it may operate wirelessly, e.g.,using magnetic induction control or infrared control through the glass,e.g., as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,340,813, which is incorporated byreference herein in its entirety. In one embodiment, the controller isconfigured between the panes of the IGU as described herein. Forexample, the controller is in the secondary seal of the IGU, but has acontrol panel on an outward surface, e.g., S1 or S4 of the glass. Inthis embodiment, electrical connections to the controller can bewireless and/or hard wired as described herein. If hard wired, theconnections can be made through apertures in the glass and/or around theedge of the glass as further described herein.

There are advantages to having the window controller positioned in thesecondary seal or otherwise in situ of an IGU, some of these include: 1)wiring from the controller to one or more EC devices of the IGU panes isvery short, and consistent from window to window for a giveninstallation, 2) any custom pairing and tuning of controller and IGU canbe done at the factory without chances of mis-pairing controller andwindow in the field, 3) even if there are no mismatches, there are fewerparts to ship, track and install, 4) there is no need for a separatehousing and installation for the controller, because the components ofthe controller can be incorporated into the secondary seal of the IGU,5) if hard wired, wiring coming to the window can be higher voltagewiring, for example 24V or 48V, and thus line losses seen in lowervoltage lines (e.g., less than 10V DC) are obviated, 6) thisconfiguration allows in-situ connection to control feedback anddiagnostic sensors, obviating the need for long wiring to remotecontrollers, and 7) the controller can store pertinent information aboutthe IGU, for example using an RFID tag and/or memory such as solid stateserial memory (e.g., I2C or SPI) which may optionally be programmable.Stored information may include, for example, the manufacturing date,batch ID, window size, warranty information, EC device cycle count,current detected window condition (e.g., applied voltage, temperature, %T_(vis)), window drive configuration parameters, controller zonemembership, and like information, which will be further described below.These benefits save time, money and installation downtime, as well asproviding more design flexibility for control and feedback sensing.

In other embodiments, window controllers are separable from the window(e.g., dockable) and read a chip associated with the dock as describedherein. In such embodiments the controller may be configured in thefield for the specific window to which it is associated by virtue ofmating with the dock and reading the chip therein.

More details of such window controllers are described herein.

Further, on-board controllers enable certain window poweringconfigurations that could not otherwise be attained. For instance, insome systems, a trunk line (e.g., a 24 V trunk line) is used to routepower throughout a building, intermediate lines (often referred to asdrop lines) connect the local window controllers to the trunk line, anda window line connects the window controllers to the windows. The windowlines may be lower voltage power lines. Due to line losses, low voltagewindow lines are typically limited to a length of about 15 feet or less.This 15 foot limitation can present problems in certain windowconfigurations, particularly where large panels of windows are used(e.g., in a conference room, lobby, atrium, etc.) and where skylightsare used. The use of on-board controllers can eliminate the need for thelow voltage window lines, since the higher voltage intermediate linescan route power directly from a main trunk line to thecontroller/window. As such, the low voltage power lines that otherwiseintroduce a 15 foot limitation (due to line loss) can be avoided. Whereon-board controllers are coupled with wireless communication, the wiringof the windows is greatly simplified compared to previous systems,especially in the difficult contexts mentioned above. There is no needto provide expensive cable that can carry both power and communication.Instead, all of the wiring can be simple 2 wire format that carries onlypower, e.g., 24V DC that does not experience significant line loss.

FIG. 2B illustrates a window assembly 230 having a more readilyaccessible window controller 220 positioned within what would otherwisebe the viewable area 235. Area 235 is located within the interior border236 of frame 205. Because the controller and components are at leastpartially opaque, this portion of the viewable area may be blocked.Though, as described herein, the controllers may have a very smallfootprint, so that they are unobtrusive, e.g., compared to a 6′×10′ areaof a large electrochromic window. In other embodiments, some or all thecontroller is behind window framing. In the embodiment of FIG. 2B, theIGU 211 includes a first lite 231 and a second lite 232. Either or bothof the first and second panes 231 and 232 may be EC panes. The firstlite 231 is shown in a dashed line and the second lite 232 is shown in adotted line. The second lite 232 is shown to be slightly inside of thefirst lite 231, though this is done merely for the sake of clearlyillustrating the edges of each pane. While either the first or secondlite may extend beyond the other pane, as shown, frequently these paneshave the same dimensions or substantially the same dimensions (e.g.,within manufacturing tolerances), except for the region where thecontroller is located.

In FIG. 2B, the controller 220 is mounted on the first lite 231. In somecases, the controller 220 is removably mounted on the first lite 231,such that the controller can be removed and serviced as needed. Mountinghardware may be provided for easy installation and removal (e.g., thelite may include a bracket into which the window controller 220 can snapin/out). The second lite 232 is shaped to include a notch where thecontroller 220 is located, in this example in the bottom right corner ofthe second lite 232. As such, the controller 220 may be easily accessedthrough the notch in the second lite 232. In some embodiments, the notchin the second lite 232 may be covered by a removable cover (not shown).The cover may be used to protect the controller 220 from damage. Thecover may provide instant access to the controller 220 (e.g., the covermay rotate open, slide open, pop open, etc.), especially where thecontroller is expected to be accessed frequently. The cover may also beattached by screws or other mechanisms (e.g., the locking mechanismsdescribed herein) that provide relatively easy, but not instant, accessto the controller 220. Such designs may be beneficial in preventingchildren, animals, etc. from damaging the controller 220. These designsmay be useful where the controller itself does not need to be accessedfrequently, for example where a user inputs control commands from a webbrowser, smart phone, or other device separate from the controller 220.The edges of the notch in the second lite 232, as well as the edges ofthe cover, may be rounded or coated with a material (e.g., plastic,rubber, etc.) to prevent injury and/or protect the edges of thesubstrate pane.

In order to adequately seal the IGU 211 of FIG. 2B, sealing separator237 may be configured as shown. In particular, sealing separator 237(which includes a separator and sealant (including, for example, aprimary seal between the separator and each pane, as well as a secondaryseal that surrounds the perimeter of the separator) between theseparator and each lite 231 and 232) may be shaped to provide anair-tight, water-tight seal to an interior IGU region that excludes thecontroller 220. Because the controller 220 is accessible, there needs tobe an adequate seal between the controller 220 and the interior IGUregion. As noted above, the interior IGU region includes the spacebetween the panes and inside the interior edges of the sealing separator237. In various conventional designs, the sealing separator ispositioned completely outside the viewable area, e.g., hidden by awindow frame. In contrast, in the embodiment of FIG. 2B, at least aportion of the sealing separator 237 can be seen in the viewable area235. In certain embodiments the carrier or dock of or associated withthe controller may obscure the sealing separator in this area around thecontroller. In another embodiment, an obscuration material, such aspaint or ink, may be added to S4 to hide the sealing separator at leastin the area around the controller.

In certain embodiments, it may be aesthetically desirable to maintainthe entire viewable area free of any view-blocking elements such asseparators or controllers (or obscuration materials to hide theseparator). However, for various applications, the benefits related toeasily accessible on-board controllers, provided in windows having aconvenient modular form, outweigh such aesthetic concerns.

In some embodiments, the controller 220 is connected to one or morewires (not shown) that may provide power and/or communication to/fromthe controller 220. Where power and control information are deliveredwirelessly and/or where the windows are self-powered, such wires can beeliminated. Further, where control information is delivered wirelesslyand certain alternative power sources are used (e.g., batteries,supercapacitors, photovoltaic cells, thermoelectric devices,piezoelectric devices, etc.), such wiring may be omitted. The controller220 may be shaped such that it can be removed through the notch in thesecond lite 232. In such cases the second lite 232 and frame 205 may beshaped/designed to accommodate such removal/access.

FIG. 2C depicts an additional embodiment of a window assembly 240 havinga window controller 220 positioned to be accessible to users and whichmay be within the viewable area 235. The viewable area 235 is the regioninterior of the inner edge 236 of the frame 205. In this embodiment, theIGU 213 includes two panes: a first lite is conventionally shaped anddoes not include any notches or cutouts (the edge of this lite is shownas the dotted line marked 213), and a second lite is similarly shapedbut includes a cutout 239 where the controller 220 is located (the outeredge of this lite is also shown as the dotted line marked 213, and thecutout edge of this lite is shown by the line marked 239). As usedherein, the term “cutout” as applied to a lite in an IGU/window assemblyrefers to a portion of the lite where the substrate (e.g., glass,plastic, etc.) is not present, i.e., an aperture, and that has asurrounding region where the substrate is present. In other words, acutout is an aperture or hole in a lite having a shape that does notfully extend to any edge of the pane. This contrasts with a notch, shownin FIG. 2B, which may extend all the way to one or more edges of thepane.

As in the case of FIG. 2B above, there is a seal between the controller220 (which is accessible and therefore open to ambient) and the interiorregion of the IGU. In this embodiment, the interior region of the IGU isthe area between the panes, inside of the inner edge of sealingseparator 215, and outside the outer edge of a second sealing separator238. The second sealing separator 238 seals the interior region of theIGU, protecting it from the ambient environment exposed to thecontroller 220. The controller 220 may or may not be connected to wires(not shown) as described above with reference to FIG. 2B. Further, aremovable cover (not shown) may be provided over the cutout 239, asdescribed above.

FIG. 2D illustrates an additional example of a window assembly 250having an accessible controller 220 within the viewable area 235 of theIGU 214. The area 235 is the area inside the interior edge 236 of theframe 205. The IGU 214 includes two panes: one lite that isconventionally shaped and does not include any notches or cutouts, and asecond lite that includes cutout 239. The controller 220 is positionedin the cutout 239, and is accessible therethrough. The cutout 239 may bepositioned interior of the interior edge 236 of the frame 205, as shownin FIG. 2D. In other cases, the cutout 239 may extend into the frame onone or more sides or may be wholly within the area of the frame (wherethe frame has a similarly positioned access point to allow access to thecutout/controller). In contrast with the embodiment of FIG. 2C, only asingle sealing separator 241 is used in the embodiment of FIG. 2D. Thesealing separator 241 is shaped to provide an air-tight, water-tightseal between the interior region of the IGU and the region where thecontroller is located (which is accessible and therefore open toambient). Wires (not shown) may be connected to the controller in someembodiments, for example to provide power and/or communication.

In the embodiments described in relation to FIGS. 2A-D, the controlleris substantially within the thickness of the IGU; that is for example,in FIG. 2A, the controller is between the panes of the IGU and thusthinner than the IGU, and in FIGS. 2B-D, the controller is, for example,about as thick as the IGU, although it may be thicker or thinner thanthe IGU. One advantage of these configurations is that the controllerdoes not protrude into the interior of the building (or exteriorenvironment) very much and thus is less likely to be knocked off theglass or damaged due to impacts with other objects during shipping,handling, installation or during use. In embodiments where thecontroller is between the glass panes, it is also protected by the glasspanes from impacts. In some embodiments where the controller isaccessible from the interior and/or exterior, that is, in what otherwisewould be viewable area of the window, the controller may be impactedfrom objects impinging at an acute angle to the surface of the window.

In another embodiment, the controller may be positioned wholly orpartially within the viewable area, but may not be easily accessible.For example, the controller may be sealed into the interior region ofthe IGU, within the interior edge of a sealing separator, with nocutouts/notches/other ways to easily access the controller. Such anembodiment may be appropriate for applications where modular/easy toinstall window assemblies are desired. While controller accessibility isbeneficial, it is not required in all embodiments. Having the controllerpresent in the viewable area may be beneficial where certain types ofline-of-sight wireless communication are used, for example infraredcommunication.

In some implementations, the controller may be positioned on a pane ofthe IGU, for example on a surface that can be accessed from the interiorof the building. In the case of an IGU having two panes, for example,the controller may be provided on surface S4. FIGS. 10A-10C depictembodiments where various controller components are provided in acarrier 1008 that is mounted in this manner. In each case, the carrier1008 is provided on a base 1007, which may be attached to surface S4 ofan inboard lite 1000 b via pressure sensitive adhesive (e.g.,double-sided tape and the like, not shown) or a different adhesive(e.g., an epoxy or other adhesive). In various cases, the carrier 1008may also be referred to as a casing or controller (and may or may nothave all the components typically found in a window controller).

In FIG. 10A, an IGU includes an outboard lite 1000 a and an inboard lite1000 b, having surfaces S1-S4 as shown. Lites 1000 a and 1000 b areseparated by a spacer 1001, which is hermetically sealed to the lites1000 a and 1000 b through a primary seal material (not shown). A bus bar1002 runs under the spacer 1001, e.g., along its length, with a bus barlead 1003 that extends peripherally outward past the edge of spacer1001. A carrier 1008 registers with and fits onto a base 1007. In thisexample, base 1007 is connected to a connector 1017 via a cable 1027.The connector 1017 may be an M8 connector in some cases. Cable 1027 maydeliver power and/or communication information to the IGU. The powerand/or communication information may be transferred from base 1007 tocarrier 1008 through any available connections. In FIG. 10A, powerand/or communication information may be transferred from the base 1007to the carrier 1008 through one or more connections 1025 and 1026 on thebase 1007 and carrier 1008, respectively.

The carrier 1008 includes a printed circuit board (PCB) 1009, with avariety of components 1011 a, 1011 b, and 1011 c installed thereon. Thecomponents 1011 a-c may be a number of different components typicallyused by those of ordinary skill in the art and, e.g., described inrelation to FIG. 2E. The various components on the circuit board may allbe provided on a single side of the circuit board in some cases, whilein other cases components may be provided on both side of the circuitboard. The controller may have more than one circuit board, e.g., in astacked format or side to side in the same plane. Optionally, aninterior light sensor 1012 may protrude beyond (or measure through) anaperture or hole in the carrier 1008, thereby enabling the interiorlight sensor 1012 to measure the level of light in a room in which theIGU is installed. Similarly, an optional exterior light sensor 1013 maybe provided to measure the level of light in the external environment.The exterior light sensor 1013 may be positioned interior of theperimeter defined by the spacer 1001, within the viewable area of theIGU in some cases. A hole 1014 may be provided in the base to ensurethat the exterior light sensor 1013 can measure exterior light levels.

A series of electrical connection structures such as spring-loaded pogopins 1010 a, 1010 b, and 1010 c may provide power from the carrier 1008through the base 1007, to components located below the base 1007. Theelectrical connection structures may provide permanent or temporaryelectrical connections. The electrical connection structures may providea secure attachment by adhesion, metallurgical bonding, friction, etc.In some cases, friction may be provided by spring loading (e.g., in thecase of pogo pins), pressure from the overall connections between thecarrier 1008/base 1007/lite 1000 b, etc. While the following examplespresent pogo pins, this is merely an example. The connections may begold plated, e.g., to increase reliability and prevent corrosion.

For example, pogo pin 1010 a provides power to an electrical connection1006, which routes power from S4 to S2, where the EC film (not shown)and bus bar 1002 are provided. The electrical connection 1006 mayprovide power to the bus bar lead 1003 (directly or indirectly throughanother electrical connection as explained below in relation to FIGS.11B and 11C). Electrical connection 1006 may be a thin tape patternedwith conductive lines (e.g., copper ink, silver ink, etc.), a ribboncable, another type of cable, a clip patterned with conductive linesthereon or therein, or a different type of electrical connection. A sealmaterial 1005 may be provided in some cases between the inboard lite1000 b and the electrical connection 1006, which may help ensure thatthe interior of the IGU remains hermetically sealed. In some such cases(not shown), this seal material 1005 (or anther seal material) mayextend to reach along the outer perimeter of the spacer 1001 to helpkeep the electrical connection 1006 in place next to the spacer 1001.The seal material 1005 may be a pressure sensitive seal material oranother kind of seal material. Located peripherally outside of thespacer 1001 and the electrical connection 1006 is a secondary sealmaterial 1004. Alternatively, connector 1006, rather than passing aroundthe edge of the inner pane, may pass through an aperture through theinner pane, e.g., where 1006 emanates at the base and thus is not seenby the end user. In this case a sealing material like 1005 may be usedto seal around 1006 (e.g., a wire) to seal between 1006 and the aperturein the inner lite through which 1006 passes.

A second pogo pin 1010 b may provide an electrical connection betweenthe carrier 1008 and component 1015, while a third pogo pin 1010 c mayprovide an electrical connection between the carrier 1008 and component1016. In various embodiments, components 1015 and 1016 may form part ofan antenna that is patterned onto surface S4, as described below. Forinstance, component 1015 may provide a ground connection for theantenna, and component 1016 may be a part of the antenna element itself.In other embodiments, the spacer of the IGU and/or the bus bars of theIGU may serve the function of an antennae. In these or other cases,antennae may be printed on any one or all of S1-S4 (or additionalsurfaces where an IGU includes more than 2 panes). Electricalconnections to the antennae are configured appropriately depending uponthe location of components on glass surfaces or in between the panes,e.g., in, or on the spacer surfaces. Although only three pogo pins areshown in FIGS. 10A-10C, any number of pogo pins may be provided, asneeded to power different components or receive input from antennae andthe like. In one example, an additional pogo pin (not shown) isprovided, which transmits power to/from a PV connector similar to theelectrical connector 1006. The PV connector may have the sameshape/properties as electrical connector 1006, but instead of deliveringpower to the bus bars, the PV connector delivers power from a PV filmpositioned on surface S2 to the carrier 1008. In cases where the PV filmis positioned on surface S3, the PV connector may simply deliver powerfrom the PV film on surface S3 to the base and/or carrier on surface S4,similar to the electrical connector 1020 shown in FIG. 10B. The PVconnector may supply power from the PV cell to an onboard battery orsupercapacitor as described. Any of the mechanisms and hardwaredescribed herein for routing power between (a) a carrier and/or base and(b) bus bars (or conductors electrically connected with the bus bars)may also be used for establishing an electrical connection between (a) acarrier and/or base and (b) a PV film positioned on one of the lites ofthe IGU.

The carrier 1008 may fit securely over the base 1007, and in some casesmay lock into place (e.g., to prevent theft and minimize any possibledamage). A mouse hole, thin slit, or other opening may be provided inthe carrier 1008, through which cable 1027 may run. Cable 1027 may behidden from sight by virtue of the carrier being positioned sufficientlyclose to the frame of the window so as to obscure cable 1027 (which maypass into the frame, as indicated by the dotted line; e.g., connector1017 is within the frame and makes electrical connection within theframe).

FIG. 10B presents an embodiment similar to the one shown in FIG. 10A,and only the two primary differences will be described. In FIG. 10B,cable 1027 connects directly to the carrier 1008 rather than to the base1007 (though in an alternative embodiment, it may be configured as inFIG. 10A). Thus, there is no need for any connections (such as 1025 and1026 of FIG. 10A) for bringing power and/or communication informationfrom the base 1007 to the carrier 1008. In this example, the base 1007may be unpowered, with power being transferred directly from the carrier1008 to the electrical connection 1020 (and to components 1015 and 1016)through the pogo pins 1010 a-c. In another embodiment, one or more ofthe pogo pins 1010 a-c may terminate on top of the base 1007 instead ofgoing through the base 1007. The base 1007 may then transfer power, viaany available electrical connections, to the components below the base1007. In one example, the base 1007 includes conductive traces, eachtrace electrically connecting (a) the point at which a pogo pin 1010 a-ctouches the base 1007 and (b) the component below the base 1007 that ispowered by the associated pogo pin (e.g., components 1015 and 1016, andelectrical connections 1006 or 1020). Alternatively or in addition, thebase may include electrical connections that pass through the base,rather than being provided only on a surface of the base.

Another difference in FIG. 10B compared to FIG. 10A is that theelectrical connection 1006 is replaced by a different electricalconnection 1020 and a block 1021. The electrical connection 1020 bringspower from S4 to S3, around the edge of the inboard lite 1000 b. Theblock 1021 brings power from S3 to S2, where it can deliver power to thebus bar lead 1003. The block 1021 may be conductive or have conductorsthereon or therein to accomplish this purpose. In one example, the block1021 is made of a material that is easy to securely insert between thelites 1000 a and 1000 b. Example materials include foam, rubber,silicone, etc. In some cases, conductive lines may be printed on theblock to electrically connect S2 and S3, in some embodiments the blockis mated with an adhesive backed ribbon cable or flexible printedcircuit to make the connections between S2 and S3.

The electrical connection 1020 may be any of the types of connectionsdescribed with respect to electrical connection 1006. Seal material (notshown) may be provided between the spacer 1001 and the block 1021 toensure a hermetic seal.

FIG. 10C presents an embodiment similar to the one shown in FIG. 10B,and only the primary difference will be described. In FIG. 10C, theblock 1021 is replaced by a wire 1022 (or series of wires), which bringspower from S3 to S2. In a similar embodiment, a block or sheet (notshown) may be provided to secure the wire 1022 (or other electricalconnection) against the spacer 1001. This technique may ensure that thewire 1022 or other electrical connection is out of the way when thesecondary seal 1004 is formed. In an alternative configuration, wire orwires 1022 may pass through pane 1000 b via an aperture or apertures andoptionally a sealant material may be used to form a hermetic seal sothat moisture cannot also pass through the aperture(s).

In each of FIGS. 10A-10C, one set of electrical connections is shownproviding power from S4 to S2. However, it should be understood thateach electrochromic window has two (or more) bus bars, and theelectrical connections should be configured to bring appropriate powerconnections to each bus bar. This is further explained with reference toFIGS. 10E, 11B, and 11C, below.

Although not explicitly shown in FIGS. 10A-10C, either or both of thebase 1007 and the carrier 1008 may include a programmable chip thatincludes information relevant to the associated IGU such as informationabout an electrochromic lite in the IGU. Such information may relate tothe size of the window, materials of the window, current and voltagelimitations particular to the window, control algorithms or othercontrol parameters particular to the window (e.g., required drive andhold voltages and ramps), cycling and other lifetime information, etc.It may be particularly beneficial to include the chip in the base 1007to eliminate the risk that the chip gets mis-matched through a mistakeninstallation on a different window. In this way, the carrier 1008 may beessentially generic/swappable, such that it would make no differencewhich carrier gets paired with which IGU. This feature may significantlydecrease installation complications and errors. Similarly, some of theother components typically found in a controller may be provided in abase or other dock, as desired (e.g., as opposed to being provided inthe carrier). As mentioned elsewhere, in cases where the dock itselfincludes components typically found in the controller, the term “thecontroller” may refer to the dock, the carrier, or both. Also not shownin FIGS. 10A-10C, either or both of the base 1007 or carrier 1008 mayinclude a port (e.g., a USB port, mini USB port, micro USB port, etc.).In various embodiments, the port may be oriented such that the devicethat interfaces with the port (e.g., a USB drive) inserts in a directionthat is parallel with the lites of the IGU. In some other embodiments,the port may be oriented such that the device that interfaces with theport inserts in a direction that is normal to the lites of the IGU.Other options are possible, for example where the dock and/or carrierare not rectangular.

FIG. 10D presents an example of a piece of flexible tape that has beenpatterned with conductive lines (e.g., a flexible printed circuit). Theconductive tape is shown in the shape it would have if used for theelectrical connection 1006 shown in FIG. 10A. The tape wraps around theinboard lite 1000 b, extends over the outer perimeter of the spacer1001, and rests on S2 of the outboard lite 1000 a, where it can providea powered connection to the bus bars/bus bar leads (not shown), with onelead for each bus bar. Similarly, the flexible tape can be used toprovide electrical connections to antenna components such as a groundplane and antenna element. In certain embodiments, the flexible tapeincludes an adhesive surface allowing it to adhere to the IGU structuresit traverses.

FIG. 10E presents a view of a portion of an IGU as described in relationto FIG. 10A. The base 1007 is shown mounted on the inboard lite 1000 b.The electrical connection 1006 delivers power from S4 to S2, therebybringing power to a first bus bar lead 1025 a and to a second bus barlead 1025 b. The first bus bar lead 1025 a may deliver power to a firstbus bar, while the second bus bar lead 1025 b may deliver power to asecond bus bar. In embodiments where additional bus bars are provided(e.g., to define different zones within a single EC lite), additionallines on the conductive tape, and additional bus bar leads connecting tosuch tape, may be provided. Likewise, if other electrical components ofthe window assembly reside on S1, S2, S3 and/or S4, such as antennae,the flexible tape circuit can be configured to make electricalconnection to these additional components. Base 1007 is shown in FIG.10E to include a number of features 1019. These features may be avariety of different components including, but not limited to, holesprovided to accommodate sensors (e.g., light sensors), holes toaccommodate pogo pins, connections for transferring power and/orcommunication information between the base and the carrier, lockingmechanisms for ensuring that the carrier doesn't come off the baseunless appropriate, etc. Although the base is depicted with a singleflexible circuit tape type connector e.g., running to one side of thebase, there may be other flexible tape circuits running to the base. Forexample, one tape may run as depicted and another tape may run toanother side of the base. This embodiment may facilitate having contactson e.g., S2, S3 for coatings, antennae, etc. thereon and not having tomake a single circuit tape make all the connections. Though in certainembodiments a single circuit tape is desirable for simplicity offabrication, e.g., a convergent fabrication where all the electricalconnections between the lites are made using a single location (flexiblecircuit).

FIG. 10F illustrates the embodiment of FIG. 10E with the carrier 1008installed on the base (not shown). Cable 1027 provides power and/orcommunication information to the IGU, and may connect to the base 1007(as shown in FIG. 10A) or to the carrier 1008 (as shown in FIGS. 10B and10C). The connector 1017 may mate with another connector 1030, which mayprovide power and/or communication via cable 1028. The connectors 1017and 1030 may be M8 connectors, and cable 1028 may be a drop line, whichmay connect directly to a trunk line as described herein. Cable 1027 maybe a window cable, also referred to as an IGU cable. FIG. 10F shows thecable 1027 and the electrical connection 1006 emanating from differentsides of the carrier 1008 (and/or base 1007), though in otherembodiments these two connections may emanate from the same side of thecarrier 1008 (and/or base 1007). Even though having a hard wiredconnection to power is present in this embodiment, it still has theadvantage that the controller is readily accessible on e.g., S4 of theIGU and the controller can be removable, e.g., in a modular,cartridge-type format.

One embodiment is an electrochromic window having a window controllermounted on a pane of the window, where the components of the windowcontroller are provided in a dock and a carrier that mate with oneanother. In one embodiment the window controller has a cartridge format,where the dock and the carrier interface with each other in a reversibleinterlocking fashion. In one embodiment, the controller includes abattery. In one embodiment the battery is removable from the controller.In one embodiment the battery is part of the dock. In anotherembodiment, the battery is part of the carrier. In one embodiment thebattery is a flat battery. In one embodiment the battery isrechargeable. In one embodiment, the battery is a lithium ion basedbattery. In one embodiment the carrier and dock have a tamper proofmechanism to detach the carrier from the dock. In one embodiment, thedock is adhesively attached to the pane. In one embodiment the dock isin electrical communication with an electrochromic device of theelectrochromic window via a circuit tape or a ribbon cable. In oneembodiment the dock is in electrical communication with an antennae ofthe electrochromic window via a circuit tape, ribbon cable, or otherelectrical connection. In one embodiment the dock is in electricalcommunication with a bus bar of the electrochromic window via a circuittape, ribbon cable, or other electrical connection. In one embodimentthe dock is in electrical communication with a sensor of theelectrochromic window via a circuit tape, ribbon cable, or otherelectrical connection. In one embodiment the top (outermost facing fromthe pane) surface of the base is about ½ inch or less from the surfaceof the pane to which it is attached, for example about ⅜ inch or lessfrom the surface of the pane, for example ⅛ inch or less from thesurface of the pane. In one embodiment, the top (outermost facing fromthe pane) surface of the carrier, when docked with the base, is about 1inch or less from the surface of the pane to which it is attached, forexample about ¾ inch or less from the surface of the pane, for example ½inch or less from the surface of the pane. In one embodiment the base isrectangular. In one embodiment the base's shape has at least one rightangle so that it can fit into a corner of a frame that supports theelectrochromic window. In one embodiment, the controller includes atleast one display. The display may be e.g., an LCD display, and LEDdisplay or the like. The display may indicate the tint level of theelectrochromic window. In one embodiment the controller includes controlswitches, e.g., buttons, dials, and/or a keypad. The control switchesmay for example, correspond to tint states of the electrochromic window.The controller may include one or more indicator lights, e.g., LEDs, toindicate a tint level change, wireless communication connectivity, powerstatus and the like; these functions may also be displayed via theaforementioned display with or without separate indicator lights. In oneembodiment the controller includes a USB port. In one embodiment thecontroller includes an optical fiber communication port. In oneembodiment the controller includes a coaxial connection port. In oneembodiment the controller includes an antennae. In one embodiment thecontroller has wireless communication, e.g., Bluetooth. Any of thefeatures described herein may be combined in a particular embodiment.

IGUs are typically installed in a frame or framing system for support.Individual IGUs may be installed in individual frames, while largernumbers of IGUs may be installed in a curtain wall or similar structure,with mullions and transoms separating adjacent windows. All of thesecomponents may be considered to form the frame of an IGU. In a number ofembodiments, a hole, slit, or other perforation may be provided in aframe that surrounds an IGU, and one or more wires/cables may be fedthrough the perforation. For example, in the context of FIG. 10F, cable1027 may be routed through such an aperture in a frame surrounding theIGU. In a similar embodiment, both the cable 1027 and the electricalconnection 1006 emanate from the same side of the carrier 1008 (or adock thereunder), and the frame into which the IGU is installed includesa hole proximate where the electrical connection 1006 wraps around theedge of the inboard lite 1000 b. This hole may be hidden by the edge ofthe carrier 1008 (or dock in another embodiment), which may abut againstthe interior edge of the frame. In some cases, the outer casing of thecarrier 1008 may be made of a material that has a certain degree of give(e.g., rubber, pliable plastic, etc.) such that it is easy to abut thecarrier against the frame without any space in between. In otherembodiments, though the case of the carrier is rigid, a flexiblematerial, such as foam or rubber is applied to one side of the casingand/or the frame around the hole, so that when the carrier is dockedwith the base, the flexible material obscures connection 1006 and/orcable 1027. Similarly, the portion of the carrier that abuts the edge ofthe frame may be made of such a material, with the remaining portions ofthe carrier being made of different materials. Cable 1027 may be routedthrough the hole in the frame and connected with power and/orcommunication delivered via cable 1028. In this way the on glasscontroller has a very clean look because no wiring or electricalconnections to the controller can be seen by the end user; and since thecontroller's footprint is small (e.g., less than 4 in², less than 3 in²,or less than 2 in²), it takes up very little of the viewable area of thewindow.

Although the carrier 1008 is shown schematically as a simple rectanglein FIG. 10F, in some embodiments the carrier 1008 may be provided with amechanism for providing user input for controlling optical transitionson the IGU. As mentioned above, the carrier 1008 can include buttons,switches, dials, touchscreens, or other mechanisms that a user caninteract with to control the optical state of the associated IGU. In onesimple example, the carrier includes two buttons—one which causes theelectrochromic IGU to become clear and one which causes theelectrochromic IGU to become tinted. In a more complex example, multipleintermediate tint states may be available. For example, there may befour buttons, each corresponding to one of four tint states of theelectrochromic window. In another example, the carrier may include atouch panel/screen that allows a user to control optical transitions onthe electrochromic IGU. The touch panel can be programmed in anyappropriate way to allow for such control. In various cases, themechanism for providing user input may be provided on the front face ofthe carrier or other on-board controller, for example the face that isvisible in FIG. 10F. The mechanism may also be provided elsewhere on thecarrier or other controller depending on the geometry of thecarrier/controller and its orientation on the IGU.

FIG. 10F can also be used to illustrate another embodiment. For example,rather than 1008 being a carrier (controller), it can be a userinterface, e.g., a control pad, e.g., a touch pad, key pad or touchscreen display (and thus thin, for example) and the electricalconnection 1006 is used to connect the user interface to a controller inthe secondary seal or at another location in situ of the IGU. This isakin to the embodiment where the carrier contains the controllercircuitry and a user control interface, but moving the controllercircuitry between the glass, e.g., in the secondary seal and keeping theuser interface on the glass. Thus wiring 1006 would connect the busbars, antennae and other features as described above between the panes,but also the controller circuitry, which is also between the panes inthis example, to the control pad. The user interface may be affixed,e.g., with an adhesive, and may be removable/replaceable. The userinterface may be very thin, having e.g., only keypad connections toflexible electrical connection 1006, or the control pad may be a digitaldisplay (which can also be thin and e.g., flexible). The controlinterface may be at least partially transparent. In one embodiment, theuser control interface and electrical connection 1006 are a singlecomponent. For example, an adhesive sealant 1005 on the back of 1006 (asdescribed above) may also be on the back of the user control interfacewith e.g., a protective backing for a “peel and stick” form factor. Forexample, during fabrication, appropriate electrical contacts to the busbars, antennae, controller and other components between the panes aremade to a local area on S2 and/or S3 as appropriate. When the panes arebrought together during IGU formation, the local areas, if one on bothS2 and S3 for example, are registered. Then the user interface is peeledand stuck onto the glass, e.g., with an appropriate electricalconnection starting from S3, across the spacer, onto S2, around the edgeof pane 1000 b and then onto S4. In this way a convergent (and thusefficient) fabrication process is realized.

FIG. 10G depicts a close up view of a base 1007 according to oneembodiment. Although the base 1007 (and carrier) is shown asrectangular, it can have any shape that allows the carrier to be dockedto the window. In some cases, one or more surfaces of the base 1007 maybe round. One example is a base that has a cross-section shaped as asemi-circle, quarter-circle, triangle, or other polygon. In oneembodiment, the base has at least one 90 degree corner/angle so that itcan nest adjacent to or in a corner of the framing of the window.Typically, the base will include at least one flat surface that can bemounted on a lite of the IGU, for example via adhesive. The base mayinclude ridges, snaps, locks, or other hardware that facilitatesdocking/securing the carrier onto the base. The features 1019 shown onthe base 1007 in FIG. 10G may be any of the features 1019 described inrelation to FIG. 10E. While FIG. 10G shows cable 1027 connected to thebase 1007, this is not always the case, as explained in relation toFIGS. 10B and 10C, above. Cable 1027 may include five wires in somecases, some of which are for delivering power to the electrodes of an ECdevice, and some of which may be used for data communication to thememory and/or integrated circuit device. In cases where communicationoccurs wirelessly, cable 1027 may have fewer wires. The dimensions ofthe base 1007 are shown in FIG. 10G, with D1 representing the length, D2representing the width, and D3 representing the height (thickness). Invarious cases, these dimensions may be fairly small, with length D1about 5 inches or less, for example about 4 inches or less, or about 3inches or less, or about 2 inches or less, and with width D2 about 1inch or less, for example about 12 inch or less, or about ¼ inch orless, and with thickness D3 about ½ inch or less, for example about ⅜inch or less, or about ¼ inch or less, or about 0.08 inches or less. Asmentioned above, the thickness D3 of the base 1007 may be less than thepads used to separate adjacent IGUs during shipment, thereby preventingthe bases 1007 from scratching and damaging the lites of adjacent IGUs.

A 3D printed mock-up model of a carrier 1051 and dock 1050 is shown inFIGS. 10H and 10I. In this example, the dock 1050 is a socket into whichthe carrier 1051 fits. Dock 1050 mounts to the pane, e.g., S4 of pane1000 b as depicted in FIGS. 10A-10C. Carrier 1051 includes some or allof the components of a window controller for controlling opticaltransitions on the electrochromic device. In this embodiment, carrier1051 has a cartridge form factor. FIG. 10H depicts the carrier 1051lifted out of the dock 1050, while FIG. 10I depicts the carrier 1051 inthe dock 1050, with the dock 1050 supported on a lite of an IGU in onepossible dock location. The L-shaped piece 1027 extending from the sideof dock 1050 is meant to represent cable 1027, for example fordelivering power and/or communication information to the dock 1050and/or carrier 1051. When installed on an IGU, cable 1027 may be hiddenbehind inside a framing component of the IGU. Although FIG. 10I showsthe cable 1027 positioned in front of the framing components, it isunderstood that in some cases, this piece may be hidden.

Any appropriate electrical connection can be used to route power to theindividual bus bars/bus bar leads. In some cases, the bus bar leadsthemselves, or a similar printed electrical connection, may be patternedaround the perimeter of a lite, or a portion thereof. One example is touse silver or copper ink, though other conductive inks may also be used.Another option is to route tape that has been patterned with conductivelines, as discussed in relation to FIG. 10D. Wires, ribbon cable orother electrical connections may also be used.

FIGS. 11A-11C depict various embodiments of an electrochromic litehaving two bus bars 1125 a and 1125 b, each having a bus bar lead 1126 aand 1126 b, respectively. No additional electrical connections are shownin FIG. 11A. FIGS. 11B and 11C depict electrical connections 1132 a and1132 b that may be used to provide power to the bus bars 1125 a and 1125b of the electrochromic lite. As mentioned, the electrical connections1132 a and 1132 b may be any available electrical connection, asdescribed above, with non-limiting examples including wires, printedconductive lines, conductive/patterned tape, etc. The different types ofelectrical connections present different advantages and disadvantages.For instance, one advantage of using conductive lines printed directlyon the electrochromic lite is that the risk of moisture breaching thehermetic seal around the electrochromic device is minimized. Bycontrast, where wires are used for the electrical connections, there issome risk that the wires will shift and loosen within the seal materialover time, thereby potentially allowing moisture to travel along thewires and into the hermetically sealed region of an IGU. However, suchwires can be buried within the secondary seal material, thereby hidingthe electrical connections from view and creating an aestheticallypleasing window. Also, the wires can be secured to a spacer, e.g., viahot glue or other adhesive, tape, blocks, sheets, or another mechanism,to reduce the likelihood that they become loose. By contrast, conductivelines printed directly on a lite cannot be hidden within secondary sealmaterial because such lines will necessarily be visible from theopposite side of the lite on which they are patterned. Methods andstructures for obscuring bus bars or other electrical connections arefurther described in PCT Patent Application No. PCT/US14/72362, titled“OBSCURING BUS BARS IN ELECTROCHROMIC GLASS STRUCTURES,” which is hereinincorporated by reference in its entirety. In some cases, the conductivelines may be printed using ink that is color matched to the secondarysealant and/or to the spacer. In these or other cases, the lines may behidden behind framing, and/or may be sufficiently thin that they do notcause any aesthetic problems (e.g., the lines are not substantiallyvisually perceptible by humans).

In FIG. 11B, a single connection area (or connection “point”) 1131 a isprovided on the electrochromic lite. The connection point may be, e.g.,a pad having contacts, e.g., flexible circuit material, or simply be asmall area on the glass where electrical traces are congregated. Theconnection point 1131 a provides power for routing to the bus bars 1125a and 1125 b via electrical connections 1132 a and 1132 b, and the busbar leads 1126 a and 1126 b, respectively. In one example, theconnection point 1131 a is where a piece of conductive tape is installedon the electrochromic lite, which may route power from anon-electrochromic lite as shown in FIG. 10A. In the context of FIGS.10A and 11B, the connection point 1131 a may be a portion of theelectrical connection 1006, positioned where the electrical connection1006 is shown meeting the bus bar lead 1003. The connection point 1131may be similarly positioned in the context of FIGS. 10B and 10C. InFIGS. 10E and 10F, the connection point is shown on surface S2 of theoutboard lite 1000 a, where the bus bar leads 1025 a and 1025 b meet theelectrical connection 1006 which delivers power from surface S1 on theinboard lite 1000 b. In various embodiments, a connection point 1131 maybe provided on a lite at a location proximate where a dock, carrier,and/or controller is (or will be) provided. There may also be a similarconnection point on S3 and connector 1006, for example, may provideelectrical connection from components on S2 and S3 to components, suchas a controller described herein, on S1.

FIG. 11C presents a similar embodiment to the one shown in FIG. 11B. Inthis example, however, four different connection points 1131 a-d areprovided. Thus, in this embodiment there are redundant connectionpoints. The use of multiple connection points 1131 a-d increases theflexibility regarding where the dock/carrier will be located. Theseconnection points are also useful, e.g., when using redundant docks inthe secondary seal with cartridge type controllers (see description inrelation to FIG. 8 ) or redundant docks on, e.g., S1 or S4, or, e.g.,redundant control interfaces on S1 and/or S4 where the controller isbetween the panes. While FIG. 11C shows four connection points 1131 a-d,it should be understood that any number of connection points may beprovided. The use of a greater number of connection points increasesflexibility, but may also increase manufacturing costs. Any number ofconnection points (and docks) may be provided. In certainimplementations, an IGU may be manufactured to include multipleconnection points (including, for example, the electrical connectionsthat connect the connection points to the bus bars/bus bar leads),though only one dock is actually installed. This leaves the otherconnection points without a corresponding dock, e.g., when shipped fromthe manufacturer. Similarly, only a single connection point and dock maybe provided, but the electrochromic lite may be patterned to includemultiple redundant electrical connections, for example using printedconductive lines or another connection described herein. Such anembodiment may include an electrochromic lite similar to the one shownin FIG. 11C, including all of the electrical connections 1132 a and 1132b, but with only a single connection point 1131 a (or 1131 b/c/d)provided. These manufacturing methods may be beneficial in thatflexibility regarding placement of the dock/casing/controller can bemaintained until the point at which the dock/casing/controller isactually installed. One particular reason this may be advantageous isthe convenience of mass-producing windows with flexible orientations.Once the orientation of a window becomes known (e.g., as a result ofinput from a customer), an IGU of appropriate size can be provided, andthe dock/carrier or other controller can be installed in the mostconvenient or aesthetically pleasing location/orientation available.

FIGS. 13A and 13B present flowcharts for methods 1300 and 1300 b ofmanufacturing an electrochromic IGU according to certain embodiments.The method 1300 b of FIG. 13B presents a particular embodiment of themethod 1300 of FIG. 13A, where the IGU includes (1) an electrochromicdevice positioned on surface S2 of the outboard lite, and (2) anon-board controller provided in a carrier that interfaces with a dockpositioned on surface S4 of the inboard lite, as shown in FIGS. 10A-C,10E, and 10F. The method 1300 of FIG. 13A begins at operation 1301,where the electrochromic device is formed on the first lite. Formationof electrochromic devices is discussed further in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/645,111, filed Dec. 22, 2009, and titled“FABRICATION OF LOW DEFECTIVITY ELECTROCHROMIC DEVICES,” which is hereinincorporated by reference in its entirety.

At step 1303, the bus bars are formed on the first lite, as are anyadditional electrical connections that feed power to the bus bars (e.g.,bus bar leads, and any electrical connections that may be printed on thefirst lite, such as connections 1132 a and 1132 b from FIGS. 11B and11C), including connection points as described. At step 1305, the spaceris sealed between the first and second lites, thereby forming the IGU.This step may include applying a primary seal material between thespacer and each lite. Eventually, a secondary seal material may beapplied around the perimeter of the spacer to impart further sealing. Atoperation 1307, the electrical connection is formed between the bus barson the first lite and the location where a dock/carrier or otheron-board controller will be positioned. This may be accomplished using awide variety of dock/carrier, controller, user interface positions andmany different kinds of electrical connections, including those asdescribed herein. At step 1309, the dock and/or controller are attachedto the IGU at the desired location. Secondary seal material may beapplied any time after step 1307, for example.

With reference to FIG. 13B, the method 1300 b begins at step 1312, wherethe electrochromic device is formed on surface S2 of the outboard lite.At step 1314, the bus bars, bus bar leads, and electrical connections tothe bus bar leads are formed on surface S2 of the outboard lite. In oneexample, this step involves printing conductive lines around theperimeter of the electrochromic lite. The conductive lines may connectto the bus bar leads to thereby deliver power to the bus bars. Theconductive lines may themselves be bus bar leads in some cases. Theconductive lines may be provided at a number of locations (as shown inFIG. 11C, for instance), thereby enabling a dock/carrier or othercontroller to be positioned at any of the different locations, asdesired during later manufacturing. At step 1316, the space is sealedbetween the inboard and outboard lites, typically via a primary sealantpositioned between the spacer and each lite. As mentioned with referenceto FIG. 13A, an additional secondary seal material may be provided at alater time, for example after step 1320. At step 1318, the electricalconnection is formed between the bus bars positioned on surface S2 ofthe outboard lite and surface S3 of the inboard lite. This may involveinstalling any of various types of electrical connections, for exampleelectrical connection 1006 in FIG. 10A, or block 1021 in FIG. 10B, orwire 1022 in FIG. 10C. At step 1320, the electrical connection is formedbetween surface S3 of the inboard lite and surface S4 of the inboardlite. Like step 1318, this may be accomplished using a variety ofelectrical connections, such as electrical connection 1006 from FIG.10A, or electrical connection 1020 from FIGS. 10B and 10C. At step 1322,the dock and/or controller may be attached to surface S4 of the inboardlite. The steps shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B may be performed in anyappropriate order.

In certain other embodiments, an on-board window controller (provided asa carrier and/or dock, or as a different on-board controller that doesnot utilize a dock) may be provided outside the viewable area of theIGU. One example is described above with reference to FIG. 2A. Thewindow controller in these cases may be positioned at a variety oflocations. For example, the window controller may be positioned whollyor partially between the panes of the IGU. The window controller may bepositioned wholly or partially within a frame of window assembly. Thewindow controller may be positioned outside the outer edge of thespacer, or inside the inner edge of the spacer, or within the hollowinterior of the spacer itself. The different designs provide varyingadvantages and disadvantages in terms of aesthetics andaccessibility/serviceability, and may be chosen as appropriate for aparticular application. In some embodiments it is beneficial to positionthe window controller such that it is not in the interior sealed regionof the IGU, e.g., to prevent damage from any substance that may outgasfrom the controller and allow access to the controller for servicing.

An IGU may be provided in a sub-frame in certain embodiments. Asub-frame is a frame that extends around the perimeter of the IGU (or aportion or substantial portion thereof), which is positioned within aconventional frame when the IGU is installed. The sub-frame may houseone or more components of the electrochromic window. For instance, thesub-frame may house a window controller or portions of a windowcontroller. Example components that may be positioned within or on asub-frame include, but are not limited to, sensors, receivers,transmitters, electrical connections, and cellular repeaters. Often, thesub-frame is affixed to an IGU and is constructed such that it is fairlyclose to the outer dimensions of the IGU. In certain embodiments, thesub-frame extends no more than about 2 inches for instance no more thanabout 1 inch or 0.5 inches from the outer perimeter of the panes of theIGU. The sub-frame may be solid or hollow, or a combination thereof. Thehollow portions may house various components as mentioned above. Thecomponents may also be attached to, but not within, the sub-frame. Thesub-frame may include docks into which a controller may be positioned,similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 .

One embodiment is a window assembly having at least one EC pane, wherethe window assembly includes a window controller. The window assemblymay also include a frame or sub-frame. The window assembly may include alaminate or an IGU (which may have panes that are laminates or not). Inone embodiment, the window controller includes: a power converterconfigured to convert a low voltage, for example 24V, to the powerrequirements of said at least one EC pane, for example between 2V and10V; a communication circuit for receiving and sending commands to andfrom a remote controller, and receiving and sending input to and from; amicrocontroller comprising a logic for controlling said at least one EClite based at least in part by input received from one or more sensors;and a driver circuit for powering said at least one EC device.

FIG. 2E, depicts an example window controller 220 in some detail.Controller 220 includes a power converter configured to convert a lowvoltage to the power requirements of an EC device of an EC lite of anIGU. This power is typically fed to the EC device via a driver circuit(power driver). In one embodiment, controller 220 has a redundant powerdriver so that in the event one fails, there is a backup and thecontroller need not be replaced or repaired.

Controller 220 also includes a communication circuit (labeled“communication” in FIG. 2E) for receiving and sending commands to andfrom a remote controller (depicted in FIG. 2E as “master controller”).The communication circuit also serves to receive and send input to andfrom a microcontroller. In one embodiment, the power lines are also usedto send and receive communications, for example, via protocols such asethernet. The microcontroller includes a logic for controlling the atleast one EC lite based, at least in part, by input received from one ormore sensors and/or users. In this example sensors 1-3 are, for example,external to controller 220, for example in the window frame or proximatethe window frame. In one embodiment, the controller has at least one ormore internal sensors. For example, controller 220 may also, or in thealternative, have “onboard” sensors 4 and 5. In one embodiment, thecontroller uses the EC device as a sensor, for example, by usingcurrent-voltage (I/V) data obtained from sending one or more electricalpulses through the EC device and analyzing the feedback. This type ofsensing capability is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/049,756, naming Brown et al. as inventors, titled “MultipurposeController for Multistate Windows,” which is incorporated by referenceherein for all purposes. A window assembly may also include a PV cell,and the controller may use the PV cell not only to generate power, butalso as a photosensor.

In one embodiment, the controller includes a chip, a card or a boardwhich includes appropriate logic, programmed and/or hard coded, forperforming one or more control functions. Power and communicationfunctions of controller 220 may be combined in a single chip, forexample, a programmable logic device (PLD) chip, field programmable gatearray (FPGA) or similar device. Such integrated circuits can combinelogic, control and power functions in a single programmable chip. In oneembodiment, where the EC window (or IGU) has two EC panes, the logic isconfigured to independently control each of the two EC panes. In oneembodiment, the function of each of the two EC panes is controlled in asynergistic fashion, that is, so that each device is controlled in orderto complement the other. For example, the desired level of lighttransmission, thermal insulative effect, and/or other property arecontrolled via combination of states for each of the individual devices.For example, one EC device may have a colored state while the other isused for resistive heating, for example, via a transparent electrode ofthe device. In another example, the two EC device's colored states arecontrolled so that the combined transmissivity is a desired outcome.

Controller 220 may also have wireless capabilities, such as control andpowering functions. For example, wireless controls, such as RF and/or IRcan be used as well as wireless communication such as Bluetooth, WiFi,Zigbee, EnOcean and the like to send instructions to the microcontrollerand for the microcontroller to send data out to, for example, otherwindow controllers and/or a building management system (BMS). Variouswireless protocols may be used as appropriate. The optimal wirelessprotocol may depend on how the window is configured to receive power.For instance, if the window is self-powered through a means thatproduces relatively less power, a communication protocol that usesrelatively less power may be used. Similarly, if the window ispermanently wired, for example with 24V power, there is less concernabout conserving power, and a wireless protocol that requires relativelymore power may be used. Zigbee is an example of a protocol that usesrelatively more power. WiFi and Bluetooth Low Energy are examples ofprotocols that use relatively less power. Protocols that use relativelyless power may also be beneficial where the window is poweredintermittently.

Wireless communication can be used in the window controller for at leastone of programming and/or operating the EC window, collecting data fromthe EC window from sensors as well as using the EC window as a relaypoint for wireless communication. Data collected from EC windows alsomay include count data such as number of times an EC device has beenactivated (cycled), efficiency of the EC device over time, and the like.Each of these wireless communication features is described in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/049,756, naming Brown et al. asinventors, titled “Multipurpose Controller for Multistate Windows,”which was incorporated by reference above.

In certain embodiments, light is used to communicate with and/or power awindow controller. That is, light generated at a distance by, forexample, a diode laser transmits power and/or control signals to awindow controller via an appropriate light transmission medium such as afiber optic cable or free space. Examples of suitable photonictransmission methods for window controllers are described in PCTApplication No. PCT/US13/56506, filed Aug. 23, 2013, and titled“PHOTONIC-POWERED EC DEVICES,” which is herein incorporated by referencein its entirety. In a particular embodiment, power is provided throughphotonic methods, while communication is provided via one or moreantennae patterned onto a lite of an electrochromic window or anassociated IGU component. In another embodiment, power is providedthrough photonic methods, while communication is provided via Wi-Fi oranother wireless communication method.

Returning to the embodiment of FIG. 2E, controller 220 may also includean RFID tag and/or memory such as solid state serial memory (e.g., I2Cor SPI) which may optionally be a programmable memory. Radio-frequencyidentification (RFID) involves interrogators (or readers), and tags (orlabels). RFID tags use communication via electromagnetic waves toexchange data between a terminal and an object, for example, for thepurpose of identification and tracking of the object. Some RFID tags canbe read from several meters away and beyond the line of sight of thereader.

Most RFID tags contain at least two parts. One is an integrated circuitfor storing and processing information, modulating and demodulating aradio-frequency (Rf) signal, and other specialized functions. The otheris an antenna for receiving and transmitting the signal.

There are three types of RFID tags: passive RFID tags, which have nopower source and require an external electromagnetic field to initiate asignal transmission, active RFID tags, which contain a battery and cantransmit signals once a reader has been successfully identified, andbattery assisted passive (BAP) RFID tags, which require an externalsource to wake up but have significant higher forward link capabilityproviding greater range. RFID has many applications; for example, it isused in enterprise supply chain management to improve the efficiency ofinventory tracking and management.

In one embodiment, the RFID tag or other memory is programmed with atleast one of the following types of data: warranty information,installation information (e.g., absolute and relative position andorientation of the window), vendor information, batch/inventoryinformation, EC device/IGU characteristics, EC device cyclinginformation and customer information. Examples of EC devicecharacteristics and IGU characteristics include, for example, windowvoltage (Vw), window current (Iw), EC coating temperature (T_(EC)),glass visible transmission (% T_(vis)), % tint command (external analoginput from BMS), digital input states, and controller status. Each ofthese represents upstream information that may be provided from thecontroller to a BMS or window management system or other buildingdevice. The window voltage, window current, window temperature, and/orvisible transmission level may be detected directly from sensors on thewindows. The % tint command may be provided to the BMS or other buildingdevice indicating that the controller has in fact taken action toimplement a tint change, which change may have been requested by thebuilding device. This can be important because other building systemssuch as HVAC systems might not recognize that a tint action is beingtaken, as a window may require a few minutes (e.g., 10 minutes) tochange state after a tint action is initiated. Thus, an HVAC action maybe deferred for an appropriate period of time to ensure that the tintingaction has sufficient time to impact the building environment. Thedigital input states information may tell a BMS or other system that amanual action relevant to the smart window has been taken. Finally, thecontroller status may inform the BMS or other system that the controllerin question is operational, or not, or has some other status relevant toits overall functioning.

Examples of downstream data from a BMS or other building system that maybe provided to the controller include window drive configurationparameters, zone membership (e.g., what zone within the building is thiscontroller part of), % tint value, digital output states, and digitalcontrol (tint, bleach, auto, reboot, etc.). The window drive parametersmay define a control sequence (effectively an algorithm) for changing awindow state. Examples of window drive configuration parameters includebleach to color transition ramp rate, bleach to color transitionvoltage, initial coloration ramp rate, initial coloration voltage,initial coloration current limit, coloration hold voltage, colorationhold current limit, color to bleach transition ramp rate, color tobleach transition voltage, initial bleach ramp rate, initial bleachvoltage, initial bleach current limit, bleach hold voltage, bleach holdcurrent limit. Examples of the application of such window driveparameters are presented in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/049,623,titled “Controlling Transitions In Optically Switchable Devices,” whichis incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The % tint value may be an analog or digital signal sent from the BMS orother management device instructing the onboard controller to place itswindow in a state corresponding to the % tint value. The digital outputstate is a signal in which the controller indicates that it has takenaction to begin tinting. The digital control signal indicates that thecontroller has received a manual command such as would be received froman interface 504 as shown in FIG. 5B. This information can be used bythe BMS to, for example, log manual actions on a per window basis.

In one embodiment, a programmable memory is used in controllersdescribed herein. This programmable memory can be used in lieu of, or inconjunction with, RFID technology. Programmable memory has the advantageof increased flexibility for storing data related to the IGU to whichthe controller is matched.

Advantages of “localized” controllers, particularly “in situ” or“onboard” controllers, described herein are further described inrelation to FIGS. 3G and 4A. FIG. 3G depicts an arrangement, 390,including EC windows, 395, each with an associated localized or onboardwindow controller (not shown). FIG. 3G illustrates that with onboardcontrollers, wiring, for example for powering and controlling thewindows, is very simplified versus, for example, conventional wiring asdepicted in FIG. 1B. In this example, a single power source, for examplelow voltage 24V, can be wired throughout a building which includeswindows 395. There is no need to calibrate various controllers tocompensate for variable wiring lengths and associated lower voltage(e.g., less than 10V DC) to each of many distant windows. Because thereare not long runs of lower voltage wiring, losses due to wiring lengthare reduced or avoided, and installation is much easier and modular. Ifthe window controller has wireless communication and control, or usesthe power lines for communication functions, for example ethernet, thenonly a single voltage power wiring need be strung through the building.If the controller also has wireless power transmission or generationcapabilities, then no wiring is necessary, since each window has its owncontroller. These factors significantly decrease the complexity ofinstalling electrochromic windows, thereby making electrochromic windowsmore desirable for all customers (and especially for residentialcustomers).

Window controllers and network controllers are further discussed in U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/248,181, filed Oct. 29, 2015, andtitled “CONTROLLERS FOR OPTICALLY-SWITCHABLE WINDOWS”, which is hereinincorporated by reference. As discussed elsewhere herein, the windowcontrollers may communicate with network or master controllers in somecases.

Wireless Powered and Self-Powered Windows

Electrochromic windows utilize a power source to drive opticaltransitions. In many conventional cases, the power source is a buildingpower source that is routed, via wires, throughout the building to theindividual IGUs. As a result, installation of electrochromic windows isoften relatively labor intensive. In some embodiments herein,electrochromic windows may be wirelessly powered and/or self-powered,which eliminates the need to run wires throughout the building to powereach IGU. Such windows are particularly easy and convenient to install.In some cases, an entire network of electrochromic windows may bewirelessly powered and/or self-powered. In some other cases, certainelectrochromic windows on a network may be wirelessly powered and/orself-powered, while other electrochromic windows on the network may bepowered through a wired building power supply. In some such cases, thewirelessly and/or self-powered windows may be the windows on the networkthat are most difficult to route wires to, for example a skylight. Instill other cases, one or more electrochromic windows on a network maybe self-powered in addition to being powered via wires connected to abuilding's power supply, as discussed further below.

In various embodiments, the window/controller may have wireless powerand/or self-power functionality. Returning to the embodiment of FIG. 2E,controller 220 may have one or more wireless power receivers, thatreceive transmissions from one or more wireless power transmitters andthus controller 220 can power the EC window via wireless powertransmission. Wireless power transmission includes, for example but notlimited to, induction, resonance induction, radio frequency powertransfer, microwave power transfer and laser power transfer. In oneembodiment, power is transmitted to a receiver via radio frequency, andthe receiver converts the power into electrical current utilizingpolarized waves, for example circularly polarized, ellipticallypolarized and/or dual polarized waves, and/or various frequencies andvectors. In another embodiment, power is wirelessly transferred viainductive coupling of magnetic fields. Exemplary wireless powerfunctions of electrochromic windows is described in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/971,576, filed Dec. 17, 2010, titled “WirelessPowered Electrochromic Windows”, and naming Robert Rozbicki as inventor,which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. In someembodiments, power may be transmitted through the glass panes, forexample to a controller within the IGU, or directly to bus bars of theIGU.

In certain embodiments, the controller may be configured to havedimensions that are relatively small. Smaller controllers arebeneficial, particularly where the controllers are on-board.

Wireless power transmission is the process that takes place whereelectrical energy is transmitted from a power source to an electricalload, without interconnecting wires. In the broadest sense, electricalcurrent can pass through the environment, be it air, water or solidobjects without the need for wires. More useful (controlled) forms ofwireless power transmission exist, for example transmitting power viaRF, magnetic induction, lasers or microwave energy. Wirelesstransmission finds particular use in applications where instantaneous orcontinuous energy transfer is needed, but interconnecting wires areinconvenient, problematic, hazardous, or impossible (e.g., in theresidential glass market such wires can be quite inconvenient or evenprohibitive for many customers). Wireless power transfer may beinductive, including electrodynamic induction, or based upon other knownenergy transfer mediums such as radio frequency (RF), microwaves andlasers. The wireless power may power a window directly, or it may beused to charge a battery that directly powers the window.

In some embodiments, power is transferred via RF, and transformed intoelectrical potential or current by a receiver in electricalcommunication with an EC device, particularly an EC window. Oneparticularly useful method of transferring power via RF is described inUS Patent Publication 2007/0191074, from application Ser. No. 11/699,148filed Jan. 29, 2007, entitled “Power Transmission Network and Method,”by Daniel W. Harrist, et al., which is herein incorporated by referencefor all purposes.

In other embodiments, power is transferred via magnetic induction usinga first resonator powered by an external power supply and a secondresonator which converts the magnetic field energy created by the firstresonator into power that supplies the EC device of the EC window. Oneparticularly useful method of transferring power via magnetic inductionis described in US Patent Publication 2007/0222542, from applicationSer. No. 11/481,077 filed Jul. 5, 2006, entitled “Wireless Non-radiativeEnergy Transfer,” by John Joannapoulos, et al., which is hereinincorporated by reference for all purposes. Another useful method ofcontrolling wireless inductive power is described in U.S. Pat. No.7,382,636, filed Oct. 14, 2005, entitled “System and Method for Poweringa Load,” by David Baarman, et al., which is herein incorporated byreference for all purposes. EC windows described herein can incorporatesuch methods of controlling wireless power transmission.

Certain embodiments include more than one wireless power transmissionsource, that is, the invention is not limited to embodiments where asingle wireless power transmission source is used. For example, inembodiments were a wireless power transmission network is used, onewireless power transmission method, for example RF power transmission,is used in part of the network, while another method, for example,magnetic induction, is used in another part of the network. Further,where the windows are connected in a network, for example a meshnetwork, wireless power may be delivered from one window on the networkto another. In this way, the wireless power may transfer from window towindow as needed across the network.

One aspect of the disclosed embodiments is an EC window powered by awireless power transmission source. In one embodiment, the EC window canbe of any useful size, e.g., in automotive use, such as in a sunroof ora rear view mirror where wiring is inconvenient, for example having topass through a windshield of a car. In one embodiment, the EC windowuses architectural scale glass as a substrate for the EC device of thewindow. Architectural glass is glass that is used as a buildingmaterial. Architectural glass is typically used in commercial buildings,but may also be used in residential buildings and typically, but notnecessarily, separates an indoor environment from an outdoorenvironment. Architectural glass is at least 20 inches by 20 inches, andcan be as large as about 80 inches by 80 inches. In some embodiments,the EC device is all solid state and inorganic. The window will have areceiver, for example an RF receiver or resonator, as part of a windowassembly and sometimes part of the IGU itself (e.g., between panes ofthe IGU). In one example, the wireless power receiver is positionedwholly or partially within a frame of a window assembly. The wirelesspower receiver may also be integrated into the IGU. In fact, thewireless power receiver may be positioned at any location where theon-board controller is located. As such, descriptions relating to theposition of the on-board controller may also be applied to the positionof the wireless power receiver. The on-board controller may include thewireless power receiver in some cases, while in other cases these may beseparate elements.

In one embodiment, the wireless power transmission source transmitspower via a radio frequency. In such embodiments, the EC window includesa radio frequency receiver, where the radio frequency receiverconfigured to convert the radio frequency to electrical energy (e.g., anelectrical current or potential) used to power an EC device in the ECwindow. Powering the EC device includes at least one of powering anoptical transition or an optical state of the EC device. In anotherembodiment, power is wirelessly transferred via inductive coupling ofmagnetic fields. In general terms, a primary coil (that convertselectrical energy, e.g., AC, running through the coil into a magneticfield) supplied by a power source generates a magnetic field and asecondary coil is coupled to the magnetic field and thereby produceselectrical energy via induction. The electrical energy produced by thesecondary coil is used to power the EC device, in particular embodimentsan EC device of an EC window. In a specific embodiment where resonancecoupled magnetic energy is utilized, power is wirelessly transferred viaa first resonator, which receives power from an external supply hardwired to the first resonator, and a second resonator, which acts as thereceiver by producing an electric current via coupling of the magneticresonance fields of the first and second resonators. Althoughembodiments utilizing magnetic induction need not necessarily useresonance coupled magnetic fields, in those that do, near-fieldresonance from localized evanescent magnetic field patterns is arelatively efficient method of wireless power transfer.

In particular embodiments, the receiver is of relatively smalldimensions. “Small dimensions” means, for example, that the receiveroccupies not more than about 5% of the viewable area of the EC window.In one embodiment, the receiver occupies none of the viewable area ofthe EC window, that is, the receiver is of sufficiently small dimensionsthat the user of the window may not recognize the receiver as being partof the window, but rather the receiver is hidden from the view of theuser, e.g., housed in the frame of the window. In one embodiment, wherethe receiver is housed in seal area of the IGU, the frame of the windowcan have one or more access ports for servicing the receiver or thereceiver can be sealed permanently in the window frame. There may alsobe ports and/or materials transparent to the wireless powertransmission, so that the receiver can properly receive the wirelesspower transmissions without interference from the window frame material.

In one embodiment, the wireless power transmission is carried out via anetwork which includes one or more power nodes for transmitting power towindow receivers in particular areas. Wireless power transmissionnetworks described herein can use RF, magnetic induction or both,depending on the need. Depending on the building, one or more, sometimesseveral nodes are used to form a network of power nodes which feed powerto their respective window receivers. In one embodiment, where radiofrequency is used to transmit power and there are more than one powernode, there are more than one frequency and/or polarization vector usedin the power nodes, so that different levels or types of power aretransferred from the various nodes to windows having different powerneeds.

In one embodiment, where magnetic induction is used for wireless powertransfer, there also are one or more power nodes, but in thisembodiment, the power nodes are themselves resonators. For example, inone embodiment, a first resonator, which receives power via a powersupply, is resonance coupled to a second resonator, and the secondresonator is resonance coupled to a third resonator, for example thatdelivers power to an EC window. In this way, the second resonator actsas a power node in a power transfer network from the first resonator, tothe second resonator, to the third resonator, the third resonator actingas the receiver and transmitting power to the EC window via conversionof magnetic field to electrical power. In this way, near field magneticenergy can span longer distances in order to suit the needs of theparticular building's EC windows.

FIG. 3A is a schematic representation of a wireless power transmissionnetwork, 300. The wireless power transmission network has a wirelesspower transmitter, 302, that transmits wireless power, for example viaRF power or magnetic induction as described herein, to an EC window 304.Electrochromic window 304 is configured with a receiver that convertsthe wirelessly transmitted power to electrical energy that is used tooperate the EC device in the EC window and/or window controllers,sensors and the like. In one embodiment, the electrical energy is avoltage potential used to power the EC device's transitions and/ormaintain optical states. Typically, the EC device will have anassociated controller, e.g., a microprocessor that controls and managesthe device depending on the input. Additionally, the EC device can becontrolled and managed by an external controller which communicates withthe device via a network. The input can be manually input by a user,either directly or via wireless communication, or the input can be froman automated heat and/or energy management system of a building of whichthe EC window is a component.

The wireless power transmission network is generally defined by area,306, that is, transmission of power generally is localized to area 306,but not necessarily so. Area 306 can define an area where one or morewindows reside and where wireless power will be transmitted. Transmitter302 can be outside area 306 in some embodiments (and transmit power intothe area) or inside area 306 as depicted in FIG. 3A. In one embodiment,the wireless power receiver resides proximate the IGU of the EC window.In another embodiment, the wireless power receiver is part of the IGU.In some cases the receiver does not obstruct the view through the ECwindow, and in other cases the receiver may be positioned within theviewable area, in the same or similar configuration as the on-boardwindow controller 220 in FIGS. 2B-2E. One of ordinary skill in the artwould appreciate that a wireless power network as described can containa plurality of EC windows to which power is supplied wirelessly via oneor more transmitters. Also, the electrical energy produced via thewireless power can be used to augment a battery supply or a photovoltaicpower supply in the EC window. In one embodiment, the photovoltaic powersupply is used to augment battery charging performed via wireless powertransmission.

FIG. 3B is a schematic representation of another wireless powertransmission network, 301. Network 301 is much like network 300 asdescribed above in relation to FIG. 3A, except that the wireless powertransmitted from transmitter 302 that is received by a receiver in ECwindow 304 is used to power not only window 304 but also windows 305.That is, the receiver in a single window is configured to convertwireless power transmissions into electrical energy in order to powermore than one EC window, either directly or via a battery or batteriesthat are charged by the receiver. In this example, a receiver associatedwith window 304 converts the wireless power transmissions intoelectrical energy and transfers the energy via wires to windows 305.This has the advantage of not relying on a receiver for each window,and, although some wiring is used, it is localized to the windowinstallation area, providing electrical communication between thewindows, rather than having to be run throughout a building. Also, sinceEC windows do not have high power requirements, this configuration ispractical.

FIG. 3C is a schematic representation of another wireless powertransmission network, 308. Network 308 is much like network 300 asdescribed above in relation to FIG. 3A, except that the wireless powertransmitted from transmitter 302 is not received directly by a receiverin EC window 304, but rather relayed via a power node 310. Power node310 can either relay the power in the same form as that which itreceived (e.g., via an RF antenna or induction coil) or be configured tochange the wireless power and transmit it to the receiver in a form moresuited to the (ultimate) requirements of window 304. In one example, thepower node receives the wireless power transmission in one form, eitherRF or magnetic induction, and transmits wireless power to window 304 inthe other of the other of the aforementioned forms. In certain cases,one or more electrochromic windows on a network include power nodes,such that power can be transferred throughout the building by jumpingfrom one window/power node to the next. One embodiment is power nodeincluding: a wireless power transmission receiver; configured to receivewireless power transmissions in one or more forms and convert thetransmissions to electrical energy; and a wireless power transmitterconfigured to convert the electrical energy into wireless powertransmissions in said one or more forms. In one embodiment, the wirelesspower transmitter is configured to convert the electrical energy intothe same form of wireless power transmission than the wireless powerreceiver is configured to receive. Although the form is the same, theremay be, for example, different frequency or polarity used so that thereceiver of the power node can distinguish between the wirelesstransmissions from transmitter 302 and the transmitter of the power node310. In one embodiment, the wireless power transmitter is configured toconvert the electrical energy into a different form of wireless powertransmission than the wireless power receiver is configured to receive.

FIG. 3D is a schematic representation of another wireless powertransmission network, 312. Network 312 is much like network 308 asdescribed above in relation to FIG. 3C, except that the wireless powertransmitted from transmitter 302 is relayed via a power node 310 to aplurality of windows 304. Again, power node 310 can either relay thepower in the same form as that which it received (e.g., via an RFantenna or induction coil) or be configured to change the wireless powerand transmit it to the receiver in a form more suited to the (ultimate)requirements of windows 304. In this example, transmitter 302 is outsideof area 306. In this example, the power requirements of windows 304 arethe same, however the invention is not so limited. That is, the wirelesspower transmitted from node 310 can be of a sufficient level so as tosatisfy the power requirements of EC windows having different powerneeds, for example, where components for appropriately converting thewireless power transmissions from power node 310 to electrical energyare part of each window 304's receiver.

In one embodiment fulfilling the varying power requirements of differentwindows within a wireless power transmission network is accomplishedusing different power nodes for windows with different power needs. Thepower relayed from each node can be, for example, of different powerlevel and/or transmitted in a different way. FIG. 3E is a schematicrepresentation of one such wireless power transmission network, 314.Network 314 is much like network 312 as described above in relation toFIG. 3D, except that the wireless power transmitted from transmitter 302is relayed via two power nodes, 310 and 316. Power node 310 can eitherrelay the power in the same form as that which it received (e.g., via anRF antenna or induction coil) or be configured to change the wirelesspower and transmit it to the receiver (in window 304) in a form moresuited to the (ultimate) requirements of window 304. Power node 316relays the wireless power in a manner different than power node 310,which is to say that power node 316 is configured to change the wirelesspower and transmit it to the receiver in window 318 in a form moresuited to the (ultimate) requirements of window 318. In this example,window 318 is configured to supply power to itself and to windows 320through wiring. Window 318 receives wireless power transmissions fromnode 316 and the receiver of window 318 converts the wireless powertransmission into sufficient power to operate window 318 and windows320. Thus, in embodiments described herein, different power nodes canreceive the same form of wireless energy, for example from a singletransmitter, but relay the wireless energy in different formats fordifferent EC devices (via associated receivers), in this example ECwindows having different power requirements. In this example,transmitter 302 is outside of area 306. In a specific embodiment, asingle wireless power transmitter transmits a wireless power and each ofa plurality of EC windows includes a receiver specifically configured toconvert the wireless power to an electrical energy suited for theparticular needs of that window. In another embodiment, each window hasan equivalent receiver that converts the wireless power into the sameelectrical energy, but the electrical energy is converted to theparticular needs of the window by one or more electronic components, incommunication with the receiver, for example a rectifier, voltageconverter, frequency changer, transformer, or inverter.

FIG. 3F is a schematic representation of another wireless powertransmission network, 322. The network 322 of FIG. 3F is similar to thenetwork 314 of FIG. 3E, however, in this embodiment, each window 324 and304 is equipped with both a wireless power receiver (not shown) as wellas an on-board power node 326. Thus, each window both receives andtransmits wireless power. In this way, the wireless power can bedistributed over the network. The remaining elements of FIG. 3F are asdescribed in relation to FIG. 3E. In some embodiments, only some of thewindows on the network include a power node.

In some embodiments, the electrochromic window includes a mechanism forself-powering the window/window controller. In such embodiments, noexternal wiring is required to provide power to the window/controller.For example, the controller may be powered by batteries. As explainedabove, in certain embodiments the window is designed such that thecontroller is accessible. Such accessibility allows the batteries to bereplaced or recharged as needed. Batteries (rechargeable or not) may beused in combination with any of the other power generation/distributionschemes described herein. Where a rechargeable battery is provided, thecontroller may include a circuit for recharging the battery via anyavailable source. In some examples, batteries may be provided incombination with photovoltaics or the other power generation options,and these photovoltaics or other power generation options may be used torecharge the batteries. In a different example, power may come from botha wired power source (e.g., building power supply) and a rechargeablebattery, and the wired power source may recharge the battery as desired.In another example, the controller may be powered by fuel cells.

FIG. 7 provides one example of a self-powered wireless windowimplementation. A number of different features are shown.

In certain embodiments, the bus bars of an electrochromic window areequipped with wireless power receivers. Where this is the case, there isno need to provide wire leads directly to the bus bars. Instead, the busbars can be powered directly through the wireless power receiversintegral to the bus bars. A wireless power transmitter can be providedat any location as noted above. In some cases a wireless powertransmitter is provided in a frame surrounding an IGU. In this case thewireless power transmitter may receive power from any available source(e.g., any of the power sources listed below including, for example,batteries, fuel cells, capacitors, photovoltaics, piezoelectric devices,thermoelectric devices, wired power from the electrical grid, andcombinations thereof). In a similar embodiment, a wireless powertransmitter may be provided in a controller and/or dock. In other casesthe transmitter may be provided outside of the IGU, for example in acentral power delivery location that may provide power to multiplewindows. Wirelessly powered bus bars may be advantageous in that theyreduce the risks associated with having wire leads directly on anelectrochromic device.

The window may also generate power for powering the controller/window bytaking advantage of solar, thermal, and/or mechanical energy availableat the window. In one example, the window may include a photovoltaic(PV) cell/panel. The PV panel may be positioned anywhere on the windowas long as it is able to absorb solar energy. For instance, the PV panelmay be positioned wholly or partially in the viewable area of a window,and/or wholly or partially in/on the frame of a window. The PV panel maybe part of the controller itself. Where the PV panel is not a part ofthe controller, wiring or another electrical connection may be providedbetween the PV panel and the controller.

In some embodiments, the PV cell is implemented as a thin film thatcoats one or more surfaces of the panes. In various embodiments, thewindow includes two individual panes (as in an IGU for example), eachhaving two surfaces (not counting the edges). Counting from the outsideof the building inwards, the first surface (i.e., the outside-facingsurface of the outer pane) may be referred to as surface 1, the nextsurface (i.e., the inside-facing surface of the outer pane) may bereferred to as surface 2, the next surface (i.e., the outside-facingsurface of the inner pane) may be referred to as surface 3, and theremaining surface (i.e., the inside-facing surface of the inner pane)may be referred to as surface 4. The PV thin film (or other PV cell) maybe implemented on any one or more of surfaces 1-4.

Conventionally, where a PV cell is contemplated for use in combinationwith an EC window, the EC stack is positioned toward the buildinginterior relative to the PV film such that the EC stack does not reducethe energy gathered by the PV cell when the EC stack is in a tintedstate. As such, the PV cell may be implemented on surface 1, theoutside-facing surface of the outer pane. However, certain sensitive PVcells cannot be exposed to external environmental conditions andtherefore cannot reliably be implemented on surface 1. For example, thePV cell may be sensitive to oxygen and humidity.

In certain embodiments, a PV film is applied to one of the windowsurfaces in an IGU or other multi-lite window assembly. In various casesthe PV film may be transparent or substantially transparent. Examples ofsuitable PV films are available from Next Energy Technologies Inc. ofSanta Barbara, Calif. The films may be organic semiconducting inks, andmay be printed/coated onto a surface in some cases. Another example ofsuitable PV films are wavelength selective PV films made by UbiquitousEnergy, Inc. of Cambridge, Mass. and as described in US 2015/0255651.

To address air and water sensitivity of such PV films, a film may bepositioned on surface 2 or 3, which helps protect the film from exposureto oxygen and humidity. In some cases, the stack of electrochromicmaterials is positioned on surface 3 and the PV thin film is positionedon surface 2. In another example, the stack of electrochromic materialsis positioned on surface 2 and the PV film is positioned on surface 3.In yet another example, the PV film or other PV cell may be implementedon more than one surface, for example surfaces 1 and 2 (with the ECdevice on, for example, surfaces 2 and/or 3).

In these embodiments, solar energy may be harnessed to power the window.In some cases, PV cells are used in combination with one or more otherenergy storage devices such as batteries, fuel cells, capacitors(including super-capacitors), etc. These may be configured to storeenergy generated by the PV cell while the electrochromic device is in aclear, or relatively clear, state. A window controller may dictate thisbehavior. In certain embodiments, the controller also directs the energystorage cell to discharge, to drive a window transition, when theelectrochromic device is tinted. This behavior is particularlyappropriate when the PV cell resides at a location interior to theelectrochromic device. Embodiments utilizing PV films, particularlywavelength selective PV films, are further discussed in ProvisionalPatent Application No. 62/247,719, filed Oct. 28, 2015, and titled“PHOTOVOLTAIC-ELECTROCHROMIC WINDOWS,” which is herein incorporated byreference in its entirety.

Alternatively, or in addition to the PV cell, a window may include oneor more other energy/power sources such as thermoelectric generators,pyroelectric generators, piezoelectric generators, acoustic generators,batteries, etc.

Thermoelectric power provides another alternative option for poweringthe controller/window. Thermoelectric generators may be used to convertheat (temperature differentials) directly into electrical energy. Wherea thermal gradient is present within a conducting material, heat willflow from the hotter region to the cooler region within the material.This heat flow results in the diffusion of charge carriers, and the flowof charge carriers between the hotter and cooler region creates avoltage difference. Often, fairly substantial temperature differentialscan develop between inside- and outside-facing portions of a window. Forexample, a sun-facing window in an air-conditioned building on a hot dayin Arizona may have an outside-facing lite at, for example, about 40°C., and an inside-facing lite at about 20° C. A thermoelectric generatormay be provided to harness this temperature difference to power thewindow/controller. In another example, a shaded window on a cold day inMaine may have an outside-facing lite at about −30° C., and aninside-facing lite at about 20° C. The thermoelectric generator may bepositioned anywhere in the window, so long as it is able to utilize therelevant temperature differentials. In some cases, the thermoelectricgenerator is positioned partially or wholly within the viewable area ofthe IGU, and/or partially or wholly in/on a frame surrounding the IGU.The thermoelectric generator may include many thermo-elements, which maybe connected in series and/or in parallel as appropriate.

In some cases, a thermoelectric generator includes a bimetallicjunction. The thermoelectric generator may also by a solid-state devicemade from, for example, bismuth telluride (Bi₂Te₃), lead telluride(PbTe), calcium manganese oxide, and combinations thereof. Where asolid-state device is used, the thermoelectric generator may include nomoving parts. The lack of moving parts reduces the need for maintenanceand helps promote a long device life.

Thermoelectric generators may be used in combination with other powersources. For instance, thermoelectric generators may be provided incombination with batteries, PV panels, piezoelectric generators, fuelcells, etc. In a particular embodiment, a window includes both a PVpanel and a thermoelectric generator (with or without other poweroptions such as batteries, etc.). Because solar panels typically useonly the high frequency part of the solar radiation, they are especiallyuseful in combination with a thermoelectric generator. Low frequencyheat energy, which would otherwise be lost where a PV panel is used inisolation, is instead captured by the thermoelectric generator andconverted to electricity. Such a combined power scheme can help optimizeenergy efficiency.

Another type of energy generation that involves heat transfer involves apyroelectric generator. Pyroelectricity relates to the ability ofcertain materials to generate a temporary voltage when heated or cooled.The temperature change modifies the positions of the atoms within thecrystal structure to thereby change the polarization of the material andcreate a voltage across the crystal. Pyroelectricity differs fromthermoelectricity in that the whole crystal is changed from onetemperature to another to result in a temporary voltage across thecrystal. In comparison, with thermoelectricity, one part of a device iskept at one temperature and another part of the device is at a differenttemperature, with the result being a permanent voltage across the device(so long as there is a temperature differential). A pyroelectricmaterial can be repeatedly heated and cooled to generate electricalpower. Example pyroelectric materials include gallium nitride, caesiumnitrate, polyvinyl fluorides, derivatives of phenylpyridine, cobaltphthalocyanine, and lithium tantalate.

Another option for power generation is a piezoelectric generator.Piezoelectric materials can be used to transform ambientstress/vibrations into electrical energy. Buildings experiencevibrations for a variety of reasons including internal factors (e.g.,people and equipment moving within a building, etc.) and externalfactors (e.g., people, equipment, and vehicles moving outside abuilding, wind, ground tremors, etc.). The windows within the buildingalso experience such vibrations. Without a piezoelectric generator, suchvibrational energy is lost to the environment. However, where a windowincludes a piezoelectric generator, the vibrational energy can insteadbe harnessed to power the window/controller. Further, stress on a logicmodule film induced by absorption of solar energy may be harnessed topower the window. Similarly, an acoustic generator may be used toconvert acoustic energy into electrical energy. One benefit of thisdesign may be increased noise reduction in the window, i.e., the windowabsorbs more sound than it otherwise might without the acousticgenerator.

Some piezoelectric generators are single-layer piezoelectric generators.Typically in such single-layer generators, pressing a button causes aspring-loaded hammer to apply a mechanical force to a rod-shapedsingle-layer piezoelectric ceramic material. In response, the ceramicelement produces a voltage that passes across a small spark gap to causea fuel source to ignite. Common examples are push button cigarettelighters and gas BBQ grills. In these applications, the electricalenergy is released very quickly from the generator, and at a very highvoltage and low current. In other cases, the generator is a multi-layerpiezoelectric generator, which includes a stack of very thin (e.g., <1mm thick) piezoelectric ceramic layers alternated with electrode layers.The electrical energy produced by such multi-layer piezoelectricgenerators is lower voltage and higher current than from the singlelayer generators. Such solid-state multi-layer piezoelectric generatorsare promising for use in electronic devices with low power requirements,such as electrochromic windows. Piezoelectric generators may be used incombination with any of the other power options described herein. In aparticular embodiment, a window includes both a piezoelectric generatorand a rechargeable battery. The piezoelectric generator convertsvibrational energy to electrical energy, and uses the electrical energyto either power the controller/window directly, or to recharge thebattery, which powers the controller/window. Rechargeable andnon-rechargeable batteries can also be used as a backup power source,for example when a primary energy source fails (e.g., when power goesout, where the window is powered through wires, or when a primaryself-power mechanism fails, where the window is self-powered).

One advantage of wirelessly powered and self-powered windows is thatthere is no need to connect the windows to a wired source of power, andtherefore, there is no need to run wires throughout a building todeliver such power. However, in some cases a window that receives powervia a wired power source may also be configured to include an additionalpower source (e.g., a battery, photovoltaic device/film, thermoelectricgenerator, piezoelectric generator, etc.). One of the primary advantagesof such embodiments is that the peak power demanded from the wired powersource by the network of windows can be minimized. Peak powerconsumption typically occurs when all the windows on the network aredirected to simultaneously undergo an optical transition. Although thiscommand may occur regularly infrequently, the network should be designedto accommodate such an occurrence. Therefore, networks of electrochromicwindows are typically designed to deliver a much greater amount of powercompared to the average amount of power that is demanded on the network.Networks that are configured to deliver greater amounts of powertypically have more stringent requirements in terms of wiring andsafety, which renders them more expensive to install.

In one example, each electrochromic IGU in a network receives power viawires provided in a power distribution network that run throughout abuilding. Further, each IGU includes a rechargeable battery (sometimesreferred to as an energy well), which may be provided in an easilyaccessible location, in some cases as part of an accessible on-boardcontroller. The power distribution network may be configured such thatit delivers a peak power that is less than the power required to drivesimultaneous optical transitions on all the IGUs in the network. Anydeficit in power may instead be provided by the rechargeable batteries.Once there is excess power delivery capacity available on the powerdistribution network, the rechargeable batteries may be recharged viathe power distribution network. In this way, the power distributionnetwork can be designed to deliver a lower peak power load, potentiallyavoiding the need for more complex and costly network components. Suchpower distribution schemes are further discussed in U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 62/191,975, filed Jul. 13, 2015, and titled“POWER MANAGEMENT FOR ELECTROCHROMIC WINDOW NETWORKS,” which is hereinincorporate by reference in its entirety.

Although certain embodiments describe windows able to power themselves,there may still be advantage of running wires to them. For example,since many of the embodiments describe wireless communication to andfrom such windows, many end users want a redundant system, hard wires,running to the windows as a backup. And, since wireless communicationand be more readily interrupted than hard wired systems, this isprudent. In one embodiment electrical wires are run to an EC windowdescribed herein, but only to carry low voltage power. By runningpower-only wires, the wiring system is greatly simplified. In anotherembodiment, wires are run to the window, where the wires carry bothpower and communication, redundant to an onboard wireless communicationcomponent in the window controller.

As mentioned, the power generation mechanism (e.g., PV panel,thermoelectric generator, piezoelectric generator, batteries, etc.) maybe positioned in a variety of locations. In some embodiments, the powergeneration mechanism is provided as part of an IGU, controller and/orwindow assembly in an accessible manner, as described above with respectto the controller in FIGS. 2B-2D. Such accessibility may allow the powergeneration mechanism to be easily accessed and serviced as needed. Inother embodiments, the power generation mechanism may be provided in aless accessible manner, for example within the frame and/or sealed intothe panes of the IGU without any access ports. As mentioned with respectto the wireless power receiver, the frame may also include access portsfor accessing components therein, including a power generation mechanismin some cases.

The window may be powered continuously or intermittently. Continuouspower may be most appropriate where the window receives power throughwires, e.g., 24V power lines. However, continuous powering may be usedwherever the power source provides sufficient power/energy tocontinuously power the window/controller. Where the power source doesnot provide sufficient energy for continuous powering, or where a moreenergy-conscious approach is desired, the window/controller may bepowered intermittently. In one example, a window controller isoff/non-powered most of the time, and turns on/powers up intermittently.When on, the controller can take various actions (e.g., read sensordata, pulse voltage or current through the window to determine a tintlevel, determine whether or not the window should undergo an opticaltransition, initiate an optical transition, etc.) before it is switchedback off. The window can remain powered if/when power is necessary tomaintain the optical state of the window.

Networks of Electrochromic Windows

FIG. 4A depicts a distributed network, 400, of EC window controllerswith conventional end or leaf controllers as compared to a distributednetwork, 420, with EC windows having onboard controllers. Such networksare typical in large commercial buildings that may include smartwindows.

In network 400, a master controller controls a number of intermediatecontrollers, 405 a and 405 b. Each of the intermediate controllers inturn controls a number of end or leaf controllers, 410. Each ofcontrollers 410 controls an EC window. Network 400 includes the longspans of lower DC voltage, for example a few volts, wiring andcommunication cables from each of leaf controllers 410 to each window430. In comparison, by using onboard controllers as described herein,network 420 eliminates huge amounts of lower DC voltage wiring betweeneach end controller and its respective window. Also this saves anenormous amount of space that would otherwise house leaf controllers410. A single low voltage, e.g., from a 24 v source, is provided to allwindows in the building, and there is no need for additional lowervoltage wiring or calibration of many windows with their respectivecontrollers. Also, if the onboard controllers have wirelesscommunication function or capability of using the power wires, forexample as in ethernet technology, there is no need for extracommunication lines between intermediate controllers 405 a and 405 b andthe windows. Again, this greatly simplifies installation of the wiring.

In certain embodiments, the electrochromic window controllers areprovided in a network such as a self-meshing, self-healingcommunications network, in which the electrochromic window controllersrecognize one another based on sensed and/or programmed inputs when thewindows are first installed and turned on. One or more of thecontrollers, for example a master controller, may develop a map of thewindows based on the self-meshing network and the information providedby the sensed and programmed inputs. In other words, the system may“self-virtualize” by creating a model of where each window is inrelation to the other windows, and optionally in relation to a globalposition (e.g., a GPS location). In this way, installation and controlof the windows is simplified, because the windows themselves do much ofthe work in figuring out where they are positioned and how they areoriented. There is little or no need to individually program thelocation and orientation of each individual window.

A wireless mesh network may be used to connect each of the windows withone another. The wireless mesh network may include radio nodes orclients (e.g., the windows/local window controllers) organized in a meshtopology. In addition to mesh clients, the mesh network may include meshrouters and gateways, for example. The mesh routers forward traffic toand from the gateways. In some embodiments, the gateways are connectedwith the internet. The radio nodes work with one another to create aradio network, which covers a physical area that may be referred to asthe mesh cloud. The mesh cloud is distinct from “the cloud” oftenreferred to when discussing remote data storage and processing, thoughin some embodiments both may be used. For instance, data generated bydevices in the mesh cloud may be stored and/or processed in the cloud(i.e., remotely over the internet). The cloud may be used for variousgoals including monitoring, analytics, and learning, as discussedfurther below.

Wireless mesh architecture is effective in providing dynamic networksover a specific coverage area (the mesh cloud). Such architectures arebuilt of peer radio devices (nodes/clients) that do not have to becabled to a wired port, in contrast with traditional WLAN access points,for example. Wireless mesh architectures are able to maintain signalstrength by breaking long distances into a series of shorter distances.For instance, there may be a single network controller located in thebasement of a building and ten local controllers located on floors 1-5of the building. Conventional network architectures would require thatthe network controller be able to communicate directly to each of theten local controllers. It may be difficult in some cases for the networkcontroller to communicate with the local controllers, particularly theones located farthest away on floor 5. Where a mesh network is used,each of the local controllers acts as an intermediate node. Theintermediate nodes boost and route the signal as desired. In otherwords, the intermediate nodes cooperatively make signal forwardingdecisions based on their knowledge of the network. Dynamic routingalgorithms may be implemented in each device to allow such routing tohappen. In this way, the signal only needs to be transmitted over muchsmaller distances (e.g., from the basement to floor 1, floor 1 to floor2, etc.). This means that the signal transmitters can be less powerfuland less costly. The mesh network may be centralized or decentralized(i.e., it may include a specific network controller that controls thelocal window controllers, or the network may simply be made of the localwindow controllers).

Where a network controller is used, it may be provided as a standalonedevice that interfaces with the other controllers/windows. Thestandalone network controller may take many forms, for example a remote,a wired or unwired input panel, a simple device that plugs into thewall, etc. The network controller may also be provided directly on awindow in some cases, either combined with the local controller into asingle controller unit, or provided separately in tandem with the localcontroller. It may be beneficial to provide a network controllerdirectly on a window in some cases, particularly where sets of windowsare sold together (e.g., a set of four electrochromic windows, three ofwhich include local controllers, and one of which includes a networkcontroller and a local controller), and/or where it is desired that noadditional parts are required beyond the actual windows (and anythingpresent on the windows themselves).

Where the separation between nearby windows is too large to allowcommunication between such windows, an intermediate signal booster maybe used. The signal booster may be a standalone device designedspecifically to pass along communication to/from electrochromicwindows/controllers, or it may be a separate device used primarily for acompletely different purpose. For instance, the signal booster may beprovided with a mesh-network-capable light, computer, printer, phone,thermostat, etc. Other examples of devices that may bemesh-network-capable include, but are not limited to, televisions, gamesystems, projectors, pet monitors (e.g., collars), washing machines,dryers, dishwashers, kitchen gadgets, scales, medical devices, alarmsystems, cameras, video cameras, pipes, etc. With the growth of theInternet of Things, more and more devices are expected to be able toengage with such networks. These devices may be used to pass alongcontrol information for the electrochromic windows. In some embodiments,the other devices on the mesh network pass information along to otherdevices, so that the information eventually reaches the electrochromicwindows. In some cases, information may be exchanged with the othernon-window devices, either through the non-window devices directly orthrough master controllers that control the non-window devices.

Further, when such additional (non-window) devices are part of the meshnetwork, these devices can benefit from information known by thenetwork. For instance, where GPS coordinates of one or more windows areknown, the other non-window devices can learn their exact locationsbased on the GPS data and the relative positions of all the other(window and non-window) devices. Because GPS typically does not workinside a building, direct GPS sensing of device positions inside of abuilding is difficult or impossible. As such, by using the absoluteposition information gleaned from the windows themselves, and therelative positions of the various devices on the network, evennon-window devices that are inside of a building can learn of theirexact locations. In some implementations, such network devices may bepopulated into the map that is auto-generated. For example, where anoffice building uses electrochromic windows and printers that are eachcapable of connecting to the mesh network, the map generated by thecontroller(s) may show the relative locations of all the windows andprinters connected to the network. A building occupant can use this map(e.g., loaded into a smartphone application, computer, etc.) to helpthem find their nearest printer or other relevant device on the meshnetwork. Occupancy sensors and HVAC components may also be connected tothe mesh network. In such cases, the map generated by the controller(s)may show whether particular rooms are occupied based on information fromthe occupancy sensors, and may show other conditions (e.g., actualtemperature, thermostat setting, humidity, status of lights, etc.) basedon information from other HVAC components. The accuracy and precision ofthe map are increased with an increased number of devices on the meshnetwork, since the additional devices provide further data for thesystem to piece together.

In some cases, one or more components on an electrochromic IGU mayprovide information that is useful to other (non-window) components onthe network. For instance, an electrochromic IGU may include an interiorand/or exterior photosensor, an interior and/or exterior temperaturesensor, an occupancy sensor, etc. These sensors may provide usefulinformation for a thermostat or HVAC system. Alternatively or inaddition, the sensors may be provided separately from the IGUs, and mayfeed information to the IGUs. The IGUs may take this information intoaccount when determining whether and when to initiate an opticaltransition. Where all the relevant components are accessible over themesh network (or other network), it is very easy to share informationamong the components, as desired.

Windows on the mesh network may be configured to interact with otherdevices on the mesh network, for example with thermostats or other HVACcomponents. For instance, where a window or set of windows tint (therebyreducing the rate that heat enters the building through the window(s)),the window(s) may send a signal to a thermostat or other HVAC componentto reduce the degree of cooling occurring through air conditioning.Similar signals may be sent to increase the degree of cooling throughair conditioning, or to control a heating system. Additionally,information gleaned by the electrochromic window (e.g., through sensors,performance, etc.) may be shared with a thermostat or other HVACcomponent to help inform decisions made by the thermostat or HVAC.

Any appropriate routing protocol may be used. In some embodiments, therouting protocol utilizes Ad hoc On-Demand Distance Vector (AODV),Better Approach to Mobile Adhoc Networking (B.A.T.M.A.N.), Babel,Dynamic NIx-Vector Routing (DNVR), Destination-Sequenced Distance-VectorRouting (DSDV), Dynamic Source Routing (DSR), Hazy-Sighted Link State(HSLS), Hybrid Wireless Mesh Protocol (HWMP), Infrastructure WirelessMesh Protocol (IWMP), Wireless Mesh Networks Routing Protocol (MRP),Optimized Link State Routing (OLSR), OrderOne Routing (OORP), OpenShortest Path First Routing (OSPF), Predictive Wireless Routing Protocol(PWRP), Temporally-Ordered Routing Algorithm (TORA), Zone RoutingProtocol (ZRP), etc. These protocols are merely provided as examples andare not intended to be limiting. There are many competing schemes forrouting packets across mesh networks.

An auto-configuration protocol may be used to automatically configurethe windows/controllers without any manual intervention, and without theneed for any software configuration programs or jumpers.Auto-configuring devices are also sometimes referred to as“plug-and-play” devices. These devices merely need to be powered up andthey automatically configure themselves. Configurations may be stored inNVRAM, loaded by a host processor, or negotiated at the time of systeminitialization, for instance. Examples of auto-configuration protocolsinclude, but are not limited to, Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol(DHCP), Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) stateless auto-configuration,Ad Hoc Configuration Protocol (AHCP), Proactive Autoconfiguration,Dynamic WMN Configuration Protocol (DWCP), etc.

The configuration process (automated or not, in a mesh network, linearbus network, or other network) for a particular IGU may involve readingand transmitting an ID for the IGU and/or its associated windowcontroller. Further information related to commissioning/configuring anetwork of electrochromic windows is presented in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/391,122, filed Oct. 7, 2014, and titled“APPLICATIONS FOR CONTROLLING OPTICALLY SWITCHABLE DEVICES,” which isherein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

In some cases, some type of feedback (e.g., from a manual input such asa button/switch/etc., or from a sensor such as a light sensor, motionsensor, occupancy sensor, etc.) may be used to identify particular IGUs.This information may be shared over the network, for example to anetwork controller and/or to other window controllers. Thisidentification process may be one step in generating a map or otherdirectory of all the electrochromic windows on the network, as discussedbelow. In various embodiments, the IGU identification/configurationprocess may involve individually triggering each IGU controller to causethe IGU's associated controller to send a signal to the network. Thesignal may include the IGU's identification number and/or theidentification number of the controller associated with the IGU. Forexample, using the example of a dock/carrier controller form factor asdescribed herein, an installer(s) will install IGUs in their physicallocation in a building. The IGUs will have the dock, but not thecontroller. The dock will have the chip or memory which contains thephysical characteristics/parameters of the IGU etc. as described herein.Then a carrier (controller) is attached into/onto each dock. Once thecarrier is mated with the dock, the controller can read the chip ormemory associated with the IGU when triggered.

The triggering may occur through a variety of mechanisms. In oneexample, the IGUs include a light sensor that can be triggered via alaser pointer or other shining light. An installer can shine the laserpointer on the sensor of the IGU to cause the IGU to send a signal tothe system with the IGU's/controller's identification. Because theinstaller knows where the laser pointer is being pointed, this allowsfor a relatively easy way to associate each IGU with its physicallocation. This laser pointer method is highly reliable, and can be usedto identify large numbers of windows, even when provided in a curtainwall with many adjacent IGUs. In another example, the IGUs include alight sensor, motion sensor, occupancy sensor, etc. that can betriggered by blocking or disrupting the sensor (e.g., waving at thesensor, covering the sensor, etc.). In another example, the IGUs includea sensor that can be triggered by placing a magnet near the sensor. Inyet another example, the IGUs include a button or switch that can bemanually activated to cause the IGU to send a signal to the network.Regardless of the type of trigger used, this feature may enable an easyconfiguration process for commissioning several electrochromic windowson a network.

In one example, a network of electrochromic windows includes 10 windows,with two windows provided in each of five rooms. After the IGUs arephysically installed, a user/installer may commission the windows toidentify each IGU and associate it with its physical location in thenetwork. The installer may use an electronic device such as a phone,tablet, computer, etc. to help commission the windows. A program on theelectronic device may include a list, directory, and/or map of all theelectrochromic windows on the network. When the installer enters thefirst room, she can trigger the first electrochromic window, therebycausing the controller to send a signal over the network with thewindow's (and/or controller's) identification. As a result of thissignal, the identification for the triggered window may pop up on theelectronic device. The user can then associate the identification withthe physical location of the window they triggered. In one example wherethe program on the electronic device generates (or otherwise utilizes) amap of the windows, this association may be made in a graphical userinterface (GUI), e.g., by dragging the triggered identification numberonto the map at the appropriate location, or by clicking the map at theappropriate location in response to the triggered identificationappearing. The map may be generated through the mesh network techniquesdescribed herein in some embodiments, or the map may be preloaded intothe commissioning person's computing device using schematics of theinstallation that are drawn up as part of the building plans, forexample. After the first window is associated with its physicallocation, the installer can trigger the second window in the first roomand thereby associate the identification of the second IGU/controllerwith its physical location. This process can then be repeated for eachof the other rooms in which electrochromic windows are installed.

In another example, each electrochromic IGU may include a beacon thattransmits information related to the IGU, for example the identificationof the IGU and/or the associated controller. Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)beacons may be used in some cases. An installer may have a receiver toallow them to read the beacon. Phones and other electronic devicescommonly have Bluetooth receivers that could be used for this purpose.Any appropriate receiver may be used. An installer may read theinformation on the beacons during commissioning to associate theidentification for each IGU/controller with the physical location of theIGU. A map or directory may be used to accomplish this association.

In a similar embodiment, each IGU may be triggered over the network,which may cause a component on the IGU to notify an installer/user thatit has been triggered. In one example, each IGU may include a light thatcan be activated. A signal can be sent over the network to trigger arelevant IGU or window controller, which then causes the light on therelevant IGU to be turned on (or off, or blink, etc.). An installer/usercan then identify the relevant IGU by seeing which IGU has the triggeredlight. Based on this process and information, the installer/user canassociate each IGU/controller with its physical location andidentification.

FIG. 14A is a flowchart depicting a method 1400 of commissioning anetwork of electrochromic windows according to certain embodiments. Forexample, after all the IGUs have an associated controller, at operation1402, a list of all the window controller IDs is created. This step isexplained further below with reference to FIGS. 14C-14E. The windowcontroller IDs may include a number of individual identifying factorsabout each window. This information is stored, e.g., in a chip in eachwindow assembly, e.g., in a dock (or wiring harness). In one example,the window ID includes a CAN ID and a LITE ID. The CAN ID may relate toa unique address of the window/window controller on the CAN bus system,while the LITE ID may relate to a unique serial number of theelectrochromic IGU and/or its associated window controller. The LITE ID(or other ID used) may also include information about the window such asits size, properties of the electrochromic device, parameters to be usedwhen transitioning the electrochromic device, etc. After the list ofwindow controllers is generated, an individual window controller istriggered in operation 1404. The triggering may occur through any of themethods described herein. This trigger causes the relevant windowcontroller to send a signal with the window controller's ID. Inresponse, a user can associate the triggered window controller's ID withthe window's physical location in operation 1406. Operations 1404 and1406 are further explained in the context of FIGS. 14F and 14G. Atoperation 1420, it is determined whether there are additional windows tocommission. If there are additional windows to commission, the methodrepeats from operation 1404. The method is complete when all of thewindows are commissioned.

FIG. 14B presents a representation of the physical location of fiveelectrochromic windows installed on an East wall of a building. The “LOCID” refers to the location of the relevant window, in this case labeled,arbitrarily, East1-East5. Additional electrochromic windows may beprovided elsewhere in the building. The method of FIG. 14A, for exampleas explained in relation to FIGS. 14C-14G, may be performed on the setof windows shown in FIG. 14B.

FIG. 14C illustrates several steps that may be taken during operation1404 of FIG. 14A. In this example, the network of electrochromic windowsincludes a master controller (MC), two or more network controllers(NC₁-NC_(n)), and several window controllers (WC₁-WC_(m)). For the sakeof clarity, only information relevant to window controllers that operateunder the first network controller (NC₁) are shown. The dotted linesindicate that many other network controllers and window controllers maybe present. First, a user may initiate a command, via a userapplication/program/etc., to cause the window controllers to bediscovered. The user application/program forwards this command to themaster controller. The master controller directs the network controllersto discover the window controllers, and the network controllers directthe window controllers to identify themselves. In response, the windowcontrollers report their IDs to the network controllers, which thenreport the window controller IDs to the master controller, which reportsthe window controller IDs to the user application/program. The mastercontroller and/or the user application/program may aggregate thisinformation to create the list of all window controllers. This list mayinclude information detailing which window controllers are controlled byeach network controller. The list may also be provided as a chart thatshows the configuration of all the relevant controllers on the network,as shown in FIG. 14D. The network representation shown in FIG. 14D mayappear on the graphical user interface in some cases.

FIG. 14E depicts an example of user interface features that may bepresented to a user after operation 1404 is complete and the list ofwindow controller IDs is created. On the upper portion of FIG. 14E, amap of the relevant windows is shown. This map may be created by anymeans available, and in some cases may be specifically programmed foreach installation. After operation 1404, it is still not known whereeach window is positioned. Thus, the map does not yet show the CAN ID orLITE ID for any of the windows, but rather has empty fields that will bepopulated with this information during the commissioning process. On thebottom portion of FIG. 14E, a list of the window controller IDs isprovided. After operation 1404, all of the window IDs (the CAN IDs andLITE IDs) are generally known, but they have not yet been associatedwith their physical positions (the LOC IDs). For this reason, the bottomportion of FIG. 14E shows the CAN IDs and LITE IDs as populated, whilethe LOC IDs are still blank. A similar list may be provided for each ofthe different network controllers.

FIG. 14F is a flowchart that presents a method for performing operations1404 and 1406 from FIG. 14A in more detail, according to one embodiment.In FIG. 14F, the method begins at operation 1404, where a user triggersa window controller, thereby causing it to send the window controller IDto its associated network controller. The network controller receivesthe signal with the window controller ID, and sends the windowcontroller ID to the master controller at operation 1410. Next, atoperation 1412, the master controller receives the signal with thewindow controller ID, and sends the window controller ID to a userapplication/program/etc. At operation 1414, the user application/programdisplays the window controller ID for the triggered window. Next, atoperation 1418, the user may associate the window ID of the triggeredwindow with the physical location of the window that was triggered. Inone example, the user drags the window ID displayed in operation 1414onto the physical location of the triggered window as represented on themap of windows. With reference to FIG. 14E, for instance, a particularwindow ID (e.g., CAN ID and LITE ID) may become bold or otherwisenoticeable in the user application/program in response to the windowcontroller being triggered. The user can see the bolded window ID, thendrag it onto the map at an appropriate location. Conversely, the usermay drag the relevant window from the map onto the triggered window ID.Similarly, a user may click on the triggered window ID and click on therelevant window from the map to associate the two. Various methods maybe used.

FIG. 14G depicts an example graphical user interface similar to the oneshown in FIG. 14E, after the window positioned at East5 has beenidentified and associated with its relevant window ID/location. As shownin FIG. 14B, the window at East5 has WC₁ installed thereon. Therefore,the CAN ID for WC₁ (XXXX1) and the LITE ID for WC₁ (YYYY1) are displayedbelow the window at the East5 location. Similarly, as shown in thebottom portion of FIG. 14G, the list of window controller IDs nowincludes a LOC ID for WC₁. The triggering and location/ID associationsteps can be repeated until all of the windows are identified andassociated with their positions within the building. The fact that WC₁was triggered first was chosen merely for the sake of clarity in thefigures. The window controllers can be triggered in any order.

Returning to FIG. 14F, at operation 1420 it is determined whether thereare any additional windows to commission. If not, the method iscomplete. If there are additional windows to commission, the methodrepeats on a different window starting at operation 1404.

Mesh networks are reliable and redundant. If one node within the networkis no longer operational, the remaining nodes can still communicate withone another, either directly or through one or more intermediate nodes.As such, the networks are self-healing. In the event a network ofwindows is also hard wired to power and communications, and for somereason a hard wired communication line fails, the wireless communicationcan take over for that failed wire communication without interruption ofthe system.

Additionally, mesh networks may be used to auto-generate a map of themesh cloud showing where each individual device is located. Based onsensed and/or programmed information, the window controllers recognizeone another and their relative positions within the network. Each localcontroller “sees” the other local controllers that are nearby. Thisproximity data (and other data described below) may be used to create apicture of where each window is located. This allows a user to veryeasily control the windows as desired, especially where it is desired tocontrol multiple windows at once. In some embodiments, the mesh networkmay self-identify groups of windows that should be controlled together.Such groups may consist of windows on the same side of a building, sameportion of a building, same room, same floor, same sun exposure, etc. Auser may then have the option to select the self-identified group tocontrol them together. In another embodiment, the network creates a mapof the electrochromic devices and their positions around a building, anda user can select a particular window or group of windows to control atonce based on the map. Such auto-generated visualizations greatlysimplify the control of the window network. FIG. 4B illustrates abuilding 440 having many windows 441-469. Each of the windows 441-469may be an electrochromic window as disclosed herein. In particular, eachof the windows 441-469 may have a local on-board controller (not shown)in communication with other the other local controllers (and an optionalnetwork controller) on an auto-configuring, self-meshing network. Afterthe windows are initially installed and powered on, the controllers areable to “see” any other windows that are sufficiently nearby. Forexample, window 453 may pick up signals from neighboring windows 449-452and from neighboring windows 454-457. Window 453 may also pick upsignals from, for example, window 462, or window 445. Because windows462 and 445 are farther away from window 453 than the previouslymentioned neighboring windows 449-452 and 454-457, the signal at window453 from these more distant windows 462 and 445 will be weaker. Thus,the local controller at window 453 knows which windows are close by, andwhich are farther away.

Like window 453, each of the individual local window controllers areable to sense their nearby neighbors and know the relative distancesbetween each relevant set of windows. By combining the informationgleaned by each local window controller, a map of the building can begenerated. FIG. 4C illustrates a map 470 of the building 440 shown inFIG. 4B. Map 470 may be generated automatically as the windows sense oneanother and their relative positions. The map 470 may include certainbuilding features (e.g., where certain outer walls are placed, and wherethe windows are located), and exclude others (e.g., doors, anyarchitectural features besides the windows/walls, etc.). While only twosides of the building are shown for the sake of clarity, it isunderstood that the map 470 is three dimensional and further includesinformation related to windows located on the back sides of thebuilding. In the example of FIG. 4C, the map 470 shows the location ofeach window 441-469 relative to the other windows. In some embodiments,the map simply includes the relative positions of the windows.

In other embodiments, the map may be more detailed and easy to use. Forexample, one or more controllers (e.g., local window controllers ornetwork controllers) may be programmed with instructions to fill inrelevant architectural details based on the sensed relative windowlocations. Such architectural details may relate to theposition/orientation of exterior walls, for example. As long as there isan electrochromic window on an exterior wall, the controller is able toeasily know where the exterior wall is. Further, the relative locationsand orientations sensed by the controllers also give information aboutthe location of corners/edges of the building. The controller cantherefore form an accurate picture of the “skin” (exteriorwalls/windows) of the building, which can be presented to a user in theform of a drawing/map. The map may be able to be manipulated in somecases, for example as a three dimensional model, thereby allowing a userto view the building from any desired angle. The map may also allow theuser to select any window or group of windows to control at a giventime.

As mentioned above, in some cases a controller is programmed to generatesuch a map as soon as the electrochromic windows are installed andpowered on. If certain windows are powered on before others, anincomplete map may be generated based on the first windows to receivepower. As more windows are turned on and sense one another, the map maybecome more detailed and accurate. In some embodiments, a controller isprogrammed to identify groups of windows that are likely to becontrolled together. These groups may be presented to a user as oneoption for controlling the windows. For example, in the context of FIGS.4B and 4C, a controller may identify any of the following groups forsimultaneous control: windows 441-448/458-461/466/467 (windows that areon the same side of the building), windows 458-461 (windows that are onthe same side of the building in the same portion of the building),windows 441/442/449-451 (windows that are on the same floor), windows449-451 (windows that are on the same floor and same side of thebuilding), and windows 442/449 (windows that are in the same room).Other groups may be identified as appropriate. Further, in someembodiments a user can select any two or more windows to be controlledtogether as a group, regardless of whether such windows are identifiedas a group by the controller. For instance, the controller may generatethe map 470 shown in FIG. 4C, and a user may decide to select windows451 and 463 (or any other two or more windows) to be controlledtogether. The self-meshing network allows for easy identification andcontrol of any set of windows that are desired to be controlledtogether. Little or no labor- and knowledge-intensive commissioningprocess is required to set up the windows after they are initiallyinstalled. Instead, the windows can be easily and intuitively controlledbased on the map generated by the controller and self-meshing network.While the phrase “the controller” is used frequently herein, it isunderstood that many local controllers are used, often but notnecessarily with a network controller, and that the information sensedor learned by one controller is shared/routed to the other controllersthrough the network.

In various embodiments, the windows on a mesh network can be controlledtogether. In certain cases, groups of windows can be controlled togethersuch that they achieve the same optical state. Further, groups ofwindows can be controlled together such that they achieve the same tintrate and/or clear rate. In certain implementations, groups of windowsare controlled together using electrical feedback. Such feedback may begenerated by pulsing current and/or voltage through EC devices on IGUsand measuring the electrical response. Based on the electrical responsefrom each individual window, it is possible to drive an opticaltransition in each window as needed to achieve matching tint levelsand/or rates. Methods of controlling groups of windows together arefurther discussed in the following patent applications, each of which isherein incorporated by reference in its entirety: PCT Application No.PCT/US14/43514, filed Jun. 20, 2014, and titled “CONTROLLING TRANSITIONSIN OPTICALLY SWITCHABLE DEVICES,” and U.S. application Ser. No.14/489,414, filed Sep. 17, 2014, and titled “CONTROLLING TRANSITIONS INOPTICALLY SWITCHABLE DEVICES.” The mesh network facilitates controllingthe windows together, as data related to each window can be shared withother window controllers (or a network controller, if present) directlyover the mesh network. In certain embodiments, each window can becontrolled not just based on its own feedback, but based on the feedbackfrom other windows, as well.

One feature that may facilitate control of multiple windows is acontroller architecture that uses both DC and AC signals, optionallysupplied over a single line (e.g., a powerline). A DC bias signal can beused to control the optical state of an EC device on a window, and an ACcommunication signal can be used to communicate between relevantcontrollers (e.g., between window controllers and/or between a windowcontroller and a network controller). The electrochromic stack on theIGU acts as a large area capacitor, and together with the TCO resistanceforms a large distributed RC network. The AC communication signal can beoverlapped on top of the DC bias signal. Where the AC signal has asufficiently high frequency, the AC signal is transparent to theelectrochromic stack. As such, the AC communication signal can be usedto communicate with local window controllers or other components withoutundesirably causing transitions to occur in the EC device. Thisarchitecture permits a (window and/or network) controller to communicatewith many other controllers.

In one example, a number of electrochromic windows are controlled at thesame time. Each window includes an IGU that includes a window controllerhaving a memory component. The memory component stores a uniqueidentifier (e.g., channel number) for each IGU. Each window controllerreceives a DC input (e.g., 2.4V) and an AC input. The AC input providescontrol signals for communicating with each individual IGU as neededbased on the IGUs' unique identifiers. The AC signal can include abinary word or words for each IGU. A digital to analog converter (e.g.,an 8 bit digital to analog converter) in each window controller can beused to convert the binary word or words to control signals for eachindividual IGU. For example, different binary words may be used tocommunicate drive voltages, hold voltages, etc. for each individual IGU.The window controllers can then output an EC control signal for arelevant IGU based on the DC input modified by the instructions in theAC signal. The EC control signal is applied to an electrochromic deviceon the individual IGU. Simultaneous control of multiple windows usingdifferent transition parameters for each window is greatly simplifiedover prior methods because (1) each IGU has a unique identifier, (2) theAC signal can direct each individual window to change based onparameters unique to each window, and (3) the AC signal does notinterfere with the EC device. This architecture is especially beneficialwhere the EC windows that are controlled together as a group are ofdiffering sizes, or otherwise have different switching characteristics.This architecture is also beneficial in any application where it isdesirable to control individual windows in a group of windows usingdifferent transition parameters.

Sensors, Tracking and Learning

In some cases, sensor data from the windows is used to help create thevirtual map of the windows. Sensor data may improve the accuracy and/orprecision of the map. Examples of sensors that may be used to providedata for creating the map include external light sensors, GPS sensors,and magnetometers. Such sensors may be part of an on-board local windowcontroller, or may be separate from the controller. In some embodiments,one or more sensors are affixed to the mapped building. In someembodiments, one or more sensors are located at positions remote fromthe mapped building. In some embodiments, one or more sensors areportable sensors that may be employed temporarily during mapping.Generally, the sensors may be positioned or directed to captureinformation in any place that the controller may be positioned (i.e.,descriptions regarding the position of the window controller also applyto the sensors). In one example, a GPS sensor is provided in an externalelectronic device controlled by a user or installer. For instance, auser or installer may use their mobile phone, camera, or otherelectronic device to take a picture of a particular window, with GPSdata embedded in the picture. The GPS data (e.g., pure GPS data or GPSdata embedded in a picture or other medium) for each window may be inputto each local window controller (or to any controller on the network).In this way, a highly accurate map of the building's exterior can becreated. As mentioned, compass data may also be input to the controllersin order to get the exact orientation of each window with respect to theearth's geography. In certain embodiments, one or more windows includean on-board compass. In other embodiments, compass data is provided by auser or installer as described above with respect to the GPS data.

Another type of data that may be utilized to form a map of thebuilding's exterior is data from a light sensor, which provides theamount of sunlight on a given window at any given time. By combining theresults from multiple exterior light sensors on different windows over aperiod of about 1 day (from sunrise to sunset), the controllers are ableto determine the relative orientations of the exterior walls (e.g., thecontrollers are able to know which windows face east, west, etc.). Thecontrollers may also be able to identify the location of shade-causingobjects (e.g., nearby trees or buildings) based on the data from thesensors and other data related to the relative positions of the windows.The use of a few light sensors (e.g., 3 or 4 light sensors) facingdifferent directions on a building may have their results combined toprovide detailed information about light exposure on all portions of abuilding. See U.S. Provisional Patent Application 62/057,104, filed Sep.29, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

In one example, using a mesh network and the relative signal strengthsfrom neighboring windows, the controllers is used to sense that abuilding has four sides with windows on each side. Data from exteriorlight sensors may show that a first side of the building receives moresun early in the morning and that the second, opposite side of thebuilding receives more sun in the afternoon/evening. The controllertherefore knows that the first side of the building likely faces eastand the second side of the building likely faces west. Additionally, asensor present on a window on the first floor of the east-facing sidemay indicate that the window in question receives less morning sun thanexpected based on the sunlight received by its neighbors. The controllerand network therefore know that this particular window is likely shadedby a tree or other object. These shade-causing objects may be includedin the map generated by the controllers in some embodiments. In certainembodiments, information provided from exterior light sensors and/orfrom the proximity knowledge in a mesh network is provided to a solarcalculator or other tool used to predict or determine when to tint andclear optically switchable windows. Such tools are described in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/772,969, filed Feb. 21, 2013, which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Similarly, light and other sensor information can be shared betweenwindows to detect anomalous conditions such as an object temporarilyblocking light to a particular window, or an object temporarilyreflecting or otherwise directing light onto a particular window. Suchanomalous conditions, if picked up by a sensor on a window, may be usedto transition an affected window. However, because the condition isanomalous/temporary, the transition may be undesirable and it may bepreferable for the window to ignore the anomalous inputs. In oneexample, light from a car parked in front of a building reflects lightsuch that it shines on a light sensor of a middle window flanked by twoouter windows. If the windows were controlled independently, the middlewindow may tint while the outer windows stay clear. However, if thewindows are controlled together such that sensor data from all thewindows is considered, the various sensor data can be used to determinethe best tinting/transition strategy for the windows. For instance, datafrom the outer windows (e.g., data from light sensors on the outerwindows) may indicate that, despite the anomalous bright-light-conditionpicked up by the middle window, the general ambient conditions are notsufficiently bright to trigger an optical transition. Anomalousconditions may be identified based on a contrast of sensor signalsbetween adjacent or nearby windows. In effect, where anomalousconditions are identified, the window receiving the anomalous conditionmay be controlled based on data from sensors in other windows, ratherthan on the anomalous signals received at the affected window.

In some embodiments, the IGUs themselves have an integrated occupancysensor, or another integrated sensor or receiver that allows acontroller to know when people are present in a particular room. In oneexample, an IGU has an integrated sensor that detects the presence ofcell phones or other electronic devices that are often carried byoccupants. In similar embodiments, the IGU may communicate with suchsensors without having the sensors integral to the IGU. For instance,the sensors may be provided on another device on the mesh network. Invarious embodiments, the control of an electrochromic window or set ofelectrochromic windows is affected by the occupancy status of a roomcontaining the windows. See U.S. Pat. No. 8,705,162 and U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 62/991,375, incorporated herein by reference intheir entireties.

As noted above, an IGU may include a photosensor/light detector, whichmay be integral with the IGU (i.e., the IGU may come with a photosensorpre-installed and pre-wired). For example, the photosensor may beprovided directly on a lite of the IGU. Various types of photosensorsmay be used. In certain embodiments, the photosensor is small andflat/thin, and in many cases requires little or no activation power tooperate. In some cases, the photosensor is an LED light sensor, aphotoresistor sensor, a photodiode, etc. In one embodiment a PV cellwhich is used to power the window may also be used as a photosensor. Thesensor may be a button style sensor, a bulb style sensor, apatch/sticker style sensor, or another form of sensor. The sensor maymeasure directly measure light intensity, or it may measure anotherparameter that can serve as a proxy for light intensity. Depending onthe sensor used, the sensor may output a variable resistance (in thecase of a photoresistor, for instance), or it may outputcurrent/voltage. The output may be fed into a logic circuit, which maybe part of a window controller, for example. Photoresistor sensorsfunction by changing the resistance across the resistor leads dependingon the light exposed to the photoresistor sensor. This change inresistance can be sensed by a controller or related circuitry todetermine the degree of light incident on the window/photoresistorsensor.

The photosensor may be positioned anywhere on the window, so long as itis exposed to detect light as desired. In some cases the photosensor ispositioned near a perimeter of the IGU such that the sensor isrelatively unobtrusive and the length of wiring to the sensor isminimized. Any number of photosensors may be provided. Where multiplephotosensors are provided on a single IGU, the signals can be used todetermine an average light exposure on the IGU. Further, multiplephotosensors may be used on a single IGU to account for possibleshadowing or reflections.

FIGS. 9A-9D present alternative embodiments of an IGU having anintegrated photosensor. FIGS. 9A-9D show IGUs 900A-D, respectively. EachIGU 900A-D includes an electrochromic lite 901 having an electrochromicdevice 910 thereon, and a glass or plastic lite 902. The panes 901 and902 are separated by a spacer 906, which is surrounded by a secondaryseal 905. A primary seal (not shown) may be provided between the sidesof the spacer 906 and each individual lite 901 and 902. Spacer 906,primary seals, and secondary seal 905 together form a sealing separator.In each figure, the sun is positioned on the left-hand side, such thatthe electrochromic lite 901 is nearer the outside, and the glass orplastic lite 902 is nearer the inside of the building. In FIG. 9A, theIGU 900A includes a photosensor 903, which is mounted on theoutdoor-facing surface of the electrochromic lite (in this case theouter pane) 901. In other words, the photosensor 903 is mounted on thesurface often referred to herein as surface 1. Photosensor 903 iselectrically connected to an EC window controller, 907, in this exampleby wiring, 904, running around the edge of pane 901. In an alternativeembodiment, wiring 904 could run through pane 901. Electrical connectionbetween controller 907 and EC coating 910 is not depicted, but it mayrun between spacer 906 and pane 901, e.g., through the primary seal, orthrough spacer 906, e.g., using a through-wired spacer as described inU.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/196,895, filed Mar. 4, 2014, andtitled “SPACERS AND CONNECTORS FOR INSULATED GLASS UNITS,” which isherein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

By contrast, in FIG. 9B, the IGU 900B includes a photosensor 903 mountedon the indoor-facing surface of the electrochromic lite (in this casethis is the outer pane) 901. In other words, the photosensor 903 ismounted on the surface often referred to herein as surface 2. Where aphotosensor is mounted on a surface including an EC device as shown inFIG. 9B, the EC device structure may optionally be deleted/removed inthe area where the photosensor is to be located. In a similar embodimentshown in FIG. 9C, an IGU 900C includes a photosensor 903 on theoutdoor-facing surface of the inner pane, often referred to as surface3. In FIGS. 9B and 9C, electrical connection from photosensor 903 tocontroller 907 is not depicted, but again is either between the spacerand the lite/pane or through the spacer. In the embodiment of FIG. 9D,an IGU 900D includes a photosensor 903 on the indoor-facing surface ofthe inner pane, often referred to as surface 4; here wiring 904 isdepicted as configured around pane 902, but could be through it in asimilar embodiment. As described herein, around the glass wiring shouldhave a good seal with the secondary sealant and provide a good(hermetic) seal with the pane if adjacent thereto.

Sensors that are integrated into/onto an IGU during fabrication (ratherthan during installation of the IGU) may simplify various installationprocedures. For example, the sensors can be placed in/on an IGU in apre-designated location. The sensors can be pre-calibrated, for exampleat the factory, so that they function as desired when the window isinstalled. This promotes quick installation and reduces the risk thatthe sensors are mis-calibrated during installation.

FIGS. 9E and 9F present additional examples of IGUs having integratedphotosensors. In each embodiment, the IGU includes an electrochromiclite 901 and a second lite 902, which may be glass or plastic forexample, separated by a spacer 906. In the case of FIG. 9E, the IGU 900Eincludes an integrated photosensor 903E. The photosensor 903E is in alinear format in this example. The photosensor 903E is placed near theedge of the IGU 900E such that when the IGU 900E is installed, thephotosensor 903E is at or near the edge of the viewable area of the IGU900E. In a similar embodiment, the photosensor may be extended along anentire side of the IGU. In a further embodiment, two or morephotosensors may be used, each extending along a different side (orportion of a side) of the IGU. In the case of FIG. 9F, the IGU 900Fincludes an extended integrated photosensor 903F. Here, the photosensorextends around all edges of the IGU 900F. The photosensor 903F ispositioned such that it will be proximate an edge of the viewable areaof the IGU 900F when installed. In a similar embodiment, the photosensor903F is a collection of four independent photosensors. The photosensorsshown in FIGS. 9E and 9F may be positioned on any of the substratesurfaces, as shown in FIGS. 9A-9D.

Linear format photosensors such as those shown in FIGS. 9E and 9F may bemore aesthetically pleasing than other types of photosensors. In someembodiments, the linear format is achieved by extending the sensorconductors to have a desired shape. By extending the sensor conductorsin this way, the sensor/sensor conductors can have a very narrow width.In some cases a linear format photosensor is sufficiently thin that itis virtually invisible when installed into a window frame. Anotheradvantage related to these embodiments is that the sensor or sensors canbe used to effectively average the incident light over the entire IGU(FIG. 9F) or over a portion of the IGU (FIG. 9E). Further, these typesof integrated photosensors may be more cost effective than other typesof photosensors commonly used in the industry. Many conventionalphotosensors require a power source (e.g., an independent power source),and typically require holes to be drilled in an IGU for wiring andmounting purposes, which can significantly complicate the IGUinstallation process. By contrast, integrated photosensors can bepassive (unpowered) and do not require any additional holes to bedrilled in an IGU, thus saving labor cost during manufacturing. Further,integrated photosensors may be more aesthetically pleasing thanconventional photosensors, since conventional photosensors are ofteninstalled such that they protrude from or are adjacent to a windowframe. Integrated photosensors can be smaller and sleeker, and can beinstalled such that they do not protrude from the frame.

Various additional sensors may be used as part of the windowassembly/IGU. Certain sensors that may be incorporated into thedisclosed embodiments are further discussed and described in U.S. Pat.No. 8,705,162, titled “Controlling Transitions in Optically SwitchableDevices,” which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.Examples of such sensors include occupancy sensors, temperaturessensors, interior light sensors, exterior light sensors, andtransmissivity sensors that detect light passing through a window fromthe exterior. Light sensors may also be referred to as photosensors. Incertain embodiments, sensors are provided to detect cloud and otherweather conditions as described in, for example, U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/057,121, filed Sep. 29, 2014, which is incorporatedherein by reference.

The GPS data, compass data, solar calculator data, photosensor data,temperature data, and other on-board sensor data may also be used tohelp control the electrochromic windows in some embodiments. Forexample, the controller can look up the sunrise and sunset times at aparticular building based on the GPS coordinates. The sunrise and sunsettimes may be used as part of a control scheme by the controller.Further, the orientation of the windows, and their relative orientationswith respect to the sun, which may be provided by compass data, or by asolar calculator or other mechanism, may factor into the control scheme.Also, controllers configured with GPS capability can aid incommissioning the windows, e.g., not only creating a map of where eachwindow is relative to others via a mesh network, but also identifyingabsolute coordinates for each window or zone of windows.

In some embodiments, the controllers may have instructions to controlthe windows based on the sensed relative and exactpositions/orientations of the various windows. For example, thecontrollers may have instructions to color east-facing windows early inthe morning to prevent the sun from heating up the east-facing rooms,and to bleach the east-facing windows later in the afternoon when thesun is not shining directly into the east-facing rooms. Any controlscheme may be used, and may be programmed into a controller by a user orinstaller, or may be pre-programmed by a manufacturer, vendor, etc. Insome embodiments the window controllers are programmable in a similarmanner as a thermostat (with the option of controlling a single windowor multiple windows together).

Packaging and Installation

In certain embodiments, IGUs are provided having on-board controllersthat are capable of forming a self-meshing network. The on-boardcontrollers may be accessible, as shown in FIGS. 2B-2D, so that they caneasily be serviced or replaced as needed. The on-board controllers maybe provided in a carrier that interfaces with a dock in some cases. TheIGUs may be provided with or without a sub-frame and/or frame. The IGUsmay have no external wiring for power, communication or other purposes.In other words, the IGUs may have a shape (e.g., peripheral shape) thatmatches conventional non-electrochromic IGUs, with no dangling wires orcontrollers to be physically hooked up. Such IGUs can be installed invirtually the same manner as non-electrochromic windows. In some otherembodiments, one or more cables/wires may be provided for deliveringpower and/or communication to the IGU.

Because the window controllers may form a self-meshing network in anumber of embodiments, no substantial commissioning is necessary toconfigure the windows for use after they are installed. Instead, thecontrollers auto-configure themselves, figure out where they are inrelation to one another, and may form a virtual map of thewindows/building. The map may be used to control the windows as desiredover the network. This installation/setup allows the electrochromicIGUs/windows to be installed by any glass installer, regardless of theirfamiliarity with electrochromic windows. Such a design simplifiesdeployment of electrochromic windows, especially in the residential areawhere people usually hire local contractors (who are likely to beunfamiliar with electrochromic windows and the unique requirements forwiring/commissioning various conventionally designed EC windows) toinstall their windows.

In certain embodiments, an electrochromic IGU may be provided with adock, as described above. The use of docks enables the use of customcarriers/controllers, which may be provided for different purposes. Inone example, an installation carrier may be provided. This installationcarrier may include a custom controller having controller componentsthat are useful for installing/testing an electrochromic IGU. Theinstallation carrier may be used by an installer (e.g., by placing theinstallation carrier in the dock) when positioning and/or hooking up anIGU. In many cases where electrochromic windows are powered throughwiring that runs throughout a building, installation of the windowsinvolves two phases with different professionals leading each phase. Inthe first phase of installation, a glass installer will position theIGUs in their associated frames in the building. In the second phase ofinstallation, an electrician will electrically connect the IGUs to thecables carrying power. One problem associated with this installationtechnique is that the electrochromic aspect of the windows cannot betested until after the second phase of installation is complete. If anIGU shows problems after it has been electrically connected, the glassinstaller must return and un-install the IGU. Examples of problems thatcan arise during installation include pinched wires, damaged cables orconnectors, etc. This divided labor process is cumbersome and results indelays during installation when the glass installer has to return toun-install non-working (or less-than-optimally working) IGUs.

However, the use of a specialized installation carrier (also referred toas an installation controller in some cases) avoids this problem. Theinstallation carrier may snap into/onto the dock for easy use. Theinstallation carrier may include hardware/circuitry/programming to allowfor testing a variety of IGUs of various shapes/sizes. The installationcontroller carrier also be provided with a power supply (e.g., batteryor other power supply) that has sufficient capacity to drive opticaltransitions on a number of different windows over time. In this way, aglass installer can carry a single installation carrier that can behooked up to each window during installation to ensure that each windowproperly undergoes the desired optical transitions. This process allowsthe glass installer to immediately identify any IGUs that should beun-installed/replaced, and avoids the need for the glass installer toreturn after the IGUs have been electrically connected to the building'spower supply by the electrician. The use of an installation controllermay therefore significantly decrease installation delays.

Similarly, other custom carriers/controllers may also be provided.Examples include carriers that include controller components forspecifically diagnosing problems with an electrochromic device,evaluating the quality of an electrochromic device, reading informationabout the electrochromic device, etc. In some cases, a fabricationcarrier may be used for testing the electrochromic device during one ormore stages of manufacturing. Any such custom carriers may be shaped tointerface with a dock provided on the IGU. The custom carriers may bethe same shape as the carrier normally used to drive optical transitionson an IGU. In some other cases, the custom carrier may be a differentshape, so long as it is able to connect with the dock.

The use of lite-mounted on-board controllers presents an opportunity tomarket and spread awareness about electrochromic windows andelectrochromic window brands. Conventionally, many electrochromicwindows are fabricated to be minimally distracting, with maximumviewable area through the window. One consequence is that it isdifficult or impossible to know, simply by looking, where most installedelectrochromic windows come from (i.e., which company manufacturedthem). While this approach is desirable in certain implementations, inother cases it would be beneficial for the products to be identifiablewith a particular company/brand. Such identifiability can promoteincreased awareness and demand for the company's products. As such, incertain implementations, an on-board controller/carrier may be providedwith a logo (e.g., trademark, other mark, company name, etc.) thereon.Such a feature may be particularly useful when the controller/carrier ismounted on a lite of the IGU, for example as described in relation toFIGS. 10A-10C. The logo may be provided in a relatively subtle manner tominimize any distraction associated with having the logo visible. Forexample, the logo may be provided in relief, and may be the same coloras the background. Of course, the logo may instead be made intentionallyeasily visible, as well. In embodiments where the front of a carrier orother controller is or includes a replaceable or rechargeable batterythat snaps on, the logo may be provided on the battery. As mentionedabove, the carrier/controller may be formed by a molding process in somecases. The logo could be formed in this same process (or afterward).

Cellular Blockers, Antennae, and Repeaters

In various embodiments, one or more of the lites in an electrochromicIGU may be configured to function as an antenna, for example forreceiving cellular signals, Wi-Fi signals, and/or television signals.Details related to such embodiments are further described in U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/084,502, which is hereinincorporated by reference in its entirety.

Controller and Interface Configurations

FIG. 5A is a schematic depiction of an onboard window controllerconfiguration, 500, including interface for integration of EC windowsinto, for example, a residential system or a building management system.A voltage regulator accepts power from a standard 24 v AC/DC source. Thevoltage regulator is used to power a microprocessor (QP) as well as apulse width modulated (PWM) amplifier which can generate current at highand low output levels, for example, to power an associated smart window.A communications interface allows, for example, wireless communicationwith the controller's microprocessor. In one embodiment, thecommunication interface is based on established interface standards, forexample, in one embodiment the controller's communication interface usesa serial communication bus which may be the CAN 2.0 physical layerstandard introduced by Bosch widely used today for automotive andindustrial applications. “CAN” is a linear bus topology allowing for 64nodes (window controllers) per network, with data rates of 10 kbps to 1Mbps, and distances of up to 2500 m. Other hard wired embodimentsinclude MODBUS, LonWorks™, power over Ethernet, BACnet MS/TP, etc. Thebus could also employ wireless technology (e.g., Zigbee, Bluetooth,Bluetooth low-energy (BLE), etc.). In embodiments that utilize wirelesscommunication to a controller that is within an IGU (e.g., between panesof an IGU), the wireless signals may have properties (e.g., power andfrequency) designed to penetrate the glass or other IGU components sothe communication can be received by the controller.

In the depicted embodiment, the controller includes a discreteinput/output (DIO) function, where a number of inputs, digital and/oranalog, are received, for example, tint levels, temperature of ECdevice(s), % transmittance, device temperature (for example from athermistor), light intensity (for example from a LUX sensor) and thelike. Output includes tint levels for the EC device(s). Theconfiguration depicted in FIG. 5A is particularly useful for automatedsystems, for example, where an advanced BMS is used in conjunction withEC windows having EC controllers as described herein. For example, thebus can be used for communication between a BMS gateway and the ECwindow controller communication interface. The BMS gateway alsocommunicates with a BMS server.

Some of the functions of the discrete I/O will now be described.

DI-TINT Level bit 0 and DI-TINT Level bit 1: These two inputs togethermake a binary input (2 bits or 2²=4 combinations; 00, 01, 10 and 11) toallow an external device (switch or relay contacts) to select one of thefour discrete tint states for each EC window pane of an IGU. In otherwords, this embodiment assumes that the EC device on a window pane hasfour separate tint states that can be set. For IGUs containing twowindow panes, each with its own four-state TINT Level, there may be asmany as eight combinations of binary input. See U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/851,514, filed on Aug. 5, 2010 and previously incorporatedby reference. In some embodiments, these inputs allow users to overridethe BMS controls (e.g., untint a window for more light even though theBMS wants it tinted to reduce heat gain).

AI-EC Temperature: This analog input allows a sensor (thermocouple,thermister, RTD) to be connected directly to the controller for thepurpose of determining the temperature of the EC coating. Thustemperature can be determined directly without measuring current and/orvoltage at the window. This allows the controller to set the voltage andcurrent parameters of the controller output, as appropriate for thetemperature.

AI-Transmittance: This analog input allows the controller to measurepercent transmittance of the EC coating directly. This is useful for thepurpose of matching multiple windows that might be adjacent to eachother to ensure consistent visual appearance, or it can be used todetermine the actual state of the window when the control algorithmneeds to make a correction or state change. Using this analog input, thetransmittance can be measured directly without inferring transmittanceusing voltage and current feedback.

AI-Temp/Light Intensity: This analog input is connected to an interiorroom or exterior (to the building) light level or temperature sensor.This input may be used to control the desired state of the EC coatingseveral ways including the following: using exterior light levels, tintthe window (e.g., bright outside, tint the window or vice versa); usingand exterior temperature sensor, tint the window (e.g., cold outside dayin Minneapolis, untint the window to induce heat gain into the room orvice versa, warm day in Phoenix, tint the widow to lower heat gain andreduce air conditioning load).

AI-% Tint: This analog input may be used to interface to legacy BMS orother devices using 0-10 volt signaling to tell the window controllerwhat tint level it should take. The controller may choose to attempt tocontinuously tint the window (shades of tint proportionate to the 0-10volt signal, zero volts being fully untinted, 10 volts being fullytinted) or to quantize the signal (0-0.99 volt means untint the window,1-2.99 volts means tint the window 5%, 3-4.99 volts equals 40% tint, andabove 5 volts is fully tinted). When a signal is present on thisinterface it can still be overridden by a command on the serialcommunication bus instructing a different value.

DO-TINT LEVEL bit 0 and bit 1: This digital input is similar to DI-TINTLevel bit 0 and DI-TINT Level bit 1. Above, these are digital outputsindicating which of the four states of tint a window is in, or beingcommanded to. For example if a window were fully tinted and a user walksinto a room and wants them clear, the user could depress one of theswitches mentioned and cause the controller to begin untinting thewindow. Since this transition is not instantaneous, these digitaloutputs will be alternately turned on and off signaling a change inprocess and then held at a fixed state when the window reaches itscommanded value.

FIG. 5B depicts an onboard controller configuration 502 having a userinterface. For example where automation is not required, the EC windowcontroller, for example as depicted in FIG. 5A, can be populated withoutthe PWM components and function as I/O controller for an end user where,for example, a keypad, 504, or other user controlled interface isavailable to the end user to control the EC window functions. The ECwindow controller and optionally I/O controllers can be daisy chainedtogether to create networks of EC windows, for automated andnon-automated EC window applications.

FIGS. 6A and 6B depict automated and non-automated daisy chainconfigurations for EC windows and EC window controllers describedherein. Where automation is desired (see FIG. 6A), for example, a busallows setting and monitoring individual window parameters and relayingthat information though the network controller directly to a BMS via,for example, an Ethernet gateway. In one embodiment, a networkcontroller contains an embedded web server for local control viaEthernet from, for example, a PC or smart phone. In one embodiment,network commissioning is done via a controller's web server and a windowscheduler, for example, where HVAC and lighting programs execute locallyon the controller. In one embodiment, network controllers can wirelesslyconnect to each other via, for example, a Zigbee mesh network, allowingfor expansion for large numbers of windows or to create control zoneswithin a building using sets of windows. As depicted in FIG. 6B, when noautomation is required, window control is accomplished through an I/Ocontroller as described above. In one embodiment, there is also a masteroverride included. In one embodiment, a network, for example a daisychain network as depicted in FIG. 6A or 6B, is constructed onsite (fieldwired). In another embodiment, commercially available cabling products(no tooling required) are used to construct a network of windowcontrollers, for example, interconnects, cable assemblies, tees, hubsand the like are widely available from commercial suppliers.

One or more user interfaces may be provided to allow a user to controlthe optical state of one or more electrochromic windows. In certaincases, a user interface is provided as a physical component of an IGU.In other cases, a user interface is provided on an electronic devicethat communicates with a network controller and/or window controller.Example electronic devices include smartphones, computers, tabletcomputers, appliances, appliance controllers such as thermostats, andthe like.

In certain embodiments, the user interface includes a touch-sensitivepanel that may be mounted on or near an IGU or window frame. The touchpanel may be provided on an applique (i.e., sticker) that may beattached wherever a user would like the panel to be mounted. In somecases, such an applique or other touch-sensitive panel may be providedon the front face of a carrier or other on-board controller that ismounted on a lite of an IGU. The applique may itself be a laminatedtouch panel. The touch panel and applique may be substantiallytransparent. The touch panel may include certain markings highlightingwhere to touch to cause the window to become more clear or tinted. In asimple embodiment, the touch panel includes two buttons: clear and tint.The clear button can be pressed to cause the window to switch to a clearstate, and the tint button can be pressed to cause the window to switchto a tinted state. In another embodiment, the touch panel may include asliding scale that a user can use to select a desired tint level. Thescale may be continuous or discrete. In yet another embodiment, thetouch panel may include other buttons, mechanisms, or functionality thatallow a user to program in certain scheduling options or tinting rules,in a manner like a thermostat.

The touch panel or other user interface may communicate with a windowcontroller through various means. In certain implementations, a ribboncable is used to connect an on-board controller to a touch panel userinterface. Ribbon cables can wrap around the edge of a lite of glasswithout damage. When installed, the window frame may clamp over theribbon cable, which may stick out from an edge of a frame where it canbe connected to the touch panel or other user interface. With a ribboncable, there is no need to drill a hole in the glass to connect the userinterface to the window controller. In certain other embodiments, thetouch panel or other user interface is connected to the windowcontroller through a connection that traverses a hole drilled in one ofthe panes of the IGU. The hole for this connection may be pre-drilledproximate a location where an on-board controller will be located. Thehole may also be pre-drilled proximate any location where the touchpanel is desired (with wiring to the controller going through otherelements such as the hollow interior of a sealing separator, or embeddedwithin a seal of the sealing separator, etc.).

Regardless of how the touch panel or other user interface is connectedto the window controller, the placement of the user interface may becustomizable/adjustable. For instance, an IGU may be provided with anon-board controller that is connected or connectable to a touch panel orother user interface through a flexible connection (e.g., wires, ribboncable, etc.). The flexible connection may wrap around the edge of theIGU, or it may pass through a lite of the IGU. The length of theflexible connection may be variable in some cases. In some cases theflexible connection is trimmed to a desired length during installation.In a particular application, a touch panel applique includes electricalleads (e.g., printed circuit type leads, which may or may not betransparent) that may be trimmed to a desired length based on a desiredplacement of the touch panel.

As noted, in some cases a user interface is a touch panel provided on atransparent applique. The transparent applique may be placed anywhere auser desires, so long as the flexible connection is sufficiently long.In many cases a user will mount the touch panel on an indoor-facingsurface of an inner lite of an IGU (i.e., surface 4). Oftentimes thetouch panel is positioned proximate a corner or edge of the visible areaof the IGU. In other cases a user may choose to mount the touch panel ona frame of the window, or on a wall next to a window.

Additional details related to a controller, various components therein,and particular control methods are further described in P.C.T. PatentApplication No. PCT/US14/43514

Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail tofacilitate understanding, the described embodiments are to be consideredillustrative and not limiting. It will be apparent to one of ordinaryskill in the art that certain changes and modifications can be practicedwithin the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An insulated glass unit (IGU) comprising: anelectrochromic lite; an additional lite, wherein either (i) theelectrochromic lite is an inboard lite and the additional lite is anoutboard lite, or (ii) the electrochromic lite is the outboard lite andthe additional lite is the inboard lite, wherein the inboard lite isconfigured to be positioned closer to an interior of a building in whichthe IGU is installed compared to the outboard lite, and wherein theinboard lite is oriented in a first plane and the outboard lite isoriented in a second plane substantially parallel to the first plane; anotch in the electrochromic lite and/or in the additional lite, thenotch extending to an outer edge of the electrochromic lite oradditional lite on which it is positioned; a sealing separatorpositioned between the electrochromic lite and the additional lite,wherein the sealing separator, the electrochromic lite, and theadditional lite together define an interior region of the IGU that issealed off from the ambient environment; and a window controllercomprising logic configured to control the electrochromic lite, wherein:(i) the window controller is positioned at least partially between thefirst plane and the second plane, within the notch, (ii) the windowcontroller is positioned outside of the interior region of the IGU suchthat the window controller is exposed to the ambient environment, and(iii) the window controller does not extend past the first plane.
 2. TheIGU of claim 1, wherein the window controller is accessible withoutuninstalling or deconstructing the IGU.
 3. The IGU of claim 1, whereinthe electrochromic lite comprises the notch.
 4. The IGU of claim 1,wherein the inboard lite comprises the notch.
 5. The IGU of claim 1,wherein the additional lite comprises the notch.
 6. The IGU of claim 1,further comprising a removable cover positioned to cover the notch. 7.The IGU of claim 6, wherein the removable cover rotates open to provideaccess to the window controller through the notch.
 8. The IGU of claim6, wherein the removable cover slides open to provide access to thewindow controller through the notch.
 9. The IGU of claim 6, wherein theremovable cover pops open to provide access to the window controllerthrough the notch.
 10. The IGU of claim 1, wherein one of theelectrochromic lite and the additional lite has a rectangular perimeter,and the other of the electrochromic lite and the additional lite has anon-rectangular perimeter.
 11. The IGU of claim 1, wherein the sealingseparator has a shape that is non-rectangular, as projected onto thefirst plane.
 12. The IGU of claim 1, wherein the window controller ispositioned entirely between the first plane and the second plane. 13.The IGU of claim 1, further comprising a dock that secures the windowcontroller onto the electrochromic lite or the additional lite, whereinthe window controller is removably connected to the dock.
 14. The IGU ofclaim 1, installed in a frame, an inner perimeter of the frame defininga viewable area of the IGU, wherein the window controller and the notchare positioned at least partially within the viewable area.
 15. The IGUof claim 14, wherein the window controller is removably mounted to theIGU.
 16. The IGU of claim 14, wherein the window controller is removablymounted to the frame.
 17. The IGU of claim 1, further comprising amechanism for receiving wireless power and/or generating power such thatthe IGU does not require external wires for providing power to theelectrochromic lite.
 18. The IGU of claim 1, wherein the windowcontroller is capable of communicating with a second controller throughwireless communication.
 19. The IGU of claim 18, wherein the windowcontroller is configured to operate in a self-meshing network.
 20. TheIGU of claim 19, wherein the window controller is configured to senseone or more nearby IGUs and receive data from the nearby IGUs to therebygenerate a map of all IGUs on the self-meshing network.
 21. The IGU ofclaim 19, further comprising a wireless power transmitter for deliveringpower from the IGU to a nearby IGU on the self-meshing network.
 22. TheIGU of claim 21, further comprising a wireless power receiver forreceiving power from one or more nearby IGUs on the self-meshingnetwork.